Box Score SANTEE, CA– The Arizona Christian Firestorm men's basketball team earned their first conference victory on Saturday afternoon, with an 86-69 win at San Diego Christian College.
With the victory, the 17th ranked Firestorm improve to 5-2 overall and are now 1-0 in GSAC play. With the loss, the San Diego Christian Hawks fall to 4-4 overall and 0-2 in GSAC play.
Arizona Christian had a strong first half of play, shooting 59% from the field, 71% from beyond the three-point arc and 91% from the free-throw line. The Firestorm defense held the Hawks to just 48% shooting in the first half and San Diego Christian shot just 25% from beyond the three-point arc. At halftime, the Firestorm led by a score of 42-31.
In the second half, the Hawks kept it closer with the Firestorm; but still were unable to catch all the way up. ACU shot 56% from the floor and 55% from beyond the three-point arc as well as 75% from the free throw line. San Diego Christian managed to shoot just 40% from the field and 30% from beyond the three point arc, as ACU outscored the Hawks 44-38 in the second half.
The Firestorm had four players score in double figures, with Sharif Watson leading the way with 15 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Bobby Gray chipped in with 11 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in the win.
In a losing effort, the San Diego Christian Hawks were led in scoring by Daniel Nielsen with 20 points. Peter Beale-Wirsing was the only other Hawk to finish in double-figures with 16 points.
The Firestorm men will now take a break for the week, as the players focus on their upcoming finals. Arizona Christian will return to the hardwood a week from tonight, Saturday December 13th, when they travel back to California to face Biola University. The women will tip-off at 3pm, followed by the men at 5pm.
