Phoenix, AZ- After virtually switching spots in the polls just hours before, #10 Arizona Christian faced off with #7 Hope International without benefit of their leading Junior Chris Sterling on Tuesday night.  But the Firestorm came out of the gates on fire as they turned a 10-0 lead into a wire-to-wire 73-59 win over the Royals.  Senior Brandon Newman set the pace with a game high of 18 points.

After a scoreless first minute, the Firestorm (16-3, 4-2 GSAC) scored a two or three in every minute for the next four minutes.  Newman had the hot hand to begin as he scored the first five points.  Senior Sharif Watson added the next basket before Junior Mishima Gray dialed in a three pointer.

The Royals (16-3, 5-1 GSAC) found the scoreboard five minutes and 12 seconds in and a basket later were within six points.

ACU moved ahead by as many 16 points on three different occasions before a surge from HIU in the final three minutes of the half accounted for the 29-25 ACU halftime score.

Through the first 20 minutes of action no player in the game managed to reach double digit scoring.  Newman was the closest with nine points.

HIU climbed back with two points two and a half minutes into the second half.  However, the midway point of the second act saw Senior Jackson Helms drop home a jumper in the paint to give Arizona Christian a ten point cushion.  The difference on the scoreboard remained in double digits for the rest of the night.

Behind Newman's 18, Gray contributed 12 points off the bench while Helms reached 10 points to go along with a game high nine rebounds.

As for the Royals, Junior Jordan Pellum contributed a team high 16 points.

Head Coach Jeff Rutter explained, "That's a great team win against a very good team.  I have a lot of respect for Hope and the job Coach Czech does.  They play so hard and are tough to score on.  It wasn't pretty, but I thought we matched their intensity and effort and so many different guys made big plays when we needed it."

Coach Rutter continued, "I think our team is starting to believe in each other and trust each other.  With Sterling injured and our big guys in foul trouble most of the game, we needed some guys to step up. They did, and we really didn't have a drop off.  Mishima and Andy made some baskets when we really needed it, and did nice jobs defensively.  Sophomore Trevor Clay played well and is gaining confidence too."

On Saturday, both Arizona Christian and Hope International will return to action.  The Firestorm will host Vanguard for a 4:00 pm AT/ 3:00 pm PT start in Fultz Gym.  The Royals return home to meet up with Biola at 7:30 pm PT.