Santa Clarita, CA- Arizona Christian needed every bit of five players scoring in double figures to hold off The Master's 78-76 on Saturday afternoon.  Senior Brandon Newman scored a team high 19 points while Senior Mike Navar produced his best game of the season with 14 points and seven rebounds.

The Mustangs (4-10, 1-5 GSAC) came out hyped up to face the #7 Firestorm (15-3, 3-2 GSAC) as they scored the first five points and held a 10-2 lead just two and a half minutes into the contest.  ACU shrunk the lead to three before The Master's extended out to an 11 point lead at 21-10 with 11:47 to go in the opening half.

ACU slowed TMC, started hitting shots, and used the next eight and a half minutes to produce an 18-7 run to tie the score at 28-28.  Eight different Firestorm scored during the run topped by five points from Newman.  Navar converted a layup in the paint to create the first tie of the game.

TMC used a pair of free throws to move back ahead 30-28.  But two jumpers in the paint by Navar gave ACU a two point cushion.  The Firestorm maintained the lead and built up to a six point lead (37-31) at the break.

Newman topped all scorers with 13 first half points.  Reid Shackelford scored 10 points for the Mustangs.

Just over two minutes into the second half, Arizona Christian had increased their lead to eight points- their largest of the night.

At the nine minute mark, ACU held a 62-55 edge.  TMC scored the next eight points and just like that were back if front 63-62. 

Senior Sharif Watson tied the score with a free throw before Navar drained a three pointer for the lead.  The Mustangs were as close as two points twice in the final seconds- including the final tally- but the Firestorm held on.

Evan Jenkins almost singlehandedly brought the Mustangs back as he erupted for 17 second half points.  However, nine second half points from Sophomore Andy Sessions (12 total points) and eight from Navar countered Jenkins.  Senior Bobby Gray also scored eight in the final 20 minutes as Watson completed the balanced attack with seven second half points.  Gray and Watson both ended up with 11 points.

Head Coach Jeff Rutter stated, "Our guys are learning how difficult it is to beat people on the road.  It wasn't pretty but we played really hard.  I thought we responded very well to adversity tonight.  We had foul trouble, some injuries, and The Master's hit some tough shots- but we kept battling.  Mike and Andy stepped up and made some really big plays for us."

The Firestorm will return home to face Hope International- early GSAC front runner (currently 5-0) and #9 in the NAIA- on Tuesday.  The Firestorm and Royals will tip-off at 7:30 pm AT/ 6:30 pm PT.