Box Score PHOENIX, AZ– The 15th ranked Arizona Christian Firestorm men's basketball team defeated the William Jessup Warriors on Saturday afternoon by a final of 80-65 inside of Fultz Memorial Gymnasium on the campus of Arizona Christian University in Phoenix.
With the victory, the 15th ranked Firestorm improve to 17-4 overall and 6-1 in GSAC play. With the loss, the William Jessup Warriors fall to 12-9 overall and 3-5 in GSAC play.
In the first half, the William Jessup Warriors played shocker as they outscored the Firestorm 38-35 to take the slim three point lead into halftime. The Warriors shot 51% from the floor and shot 38% from beyond the three-point arc, while making one of their two free-throw attempts. ACU on the other hand shot just 37% from the field and 37% from beyond the three-point arc; while shooting 7-for-16 (43%) from the free-throw line.
After a horrendous first half for the Firestorm, the team re-grouped and came out strong in the second half. ACU shot 46% from the floor, but shot just 3-for-10 from beyond the three-point arc. ACU did however go 14-for-19 (73%) from the free-throw line. William Jessup cooled down in the second half and ACU began to sizzle. The Warriors shot just 32% (10-for-31) from the field and went 21% (4-for-19) from beyond the three-point arc. The Warriors also only converted three of their eight free-throw attempts in the second half, while being outscored 45-27.
Arizona Christian had three players score in double-figures, with Brandon Newman leading the way with 19 points and fours steals.
The Firestorm men will hit the road during the week for a contest with the Hope International Royals on Tuesday night, before returning home for three straight games. The homestand begins this Saturday January 31st, when the San Diego Christian Hawks come to town. The women will get things started at 5:30pm, followed by the men at 7:30pm.
