Phoenix, AZ- A game high 22 points from Junior Chris Sterling helped Arizona Christian ease past Menlo 82-56 on Saturday.  Senior Brandon Newman added 18 points.

Senior Jackson Helms hit a jumper in the paint for the first points of the game.  The Oaks (7-10, 1-3 GSAC) tied the game at 2-2.

ACU used a 9-0 run to take the lead for good.  Newman scored five of the points in the run.

Menlo cut the deficit to just four with 5:36 remaining in the half.  But the Firestorm (14-2, 2-1 GSAC) closed the half with a 14-7 run to hold a 32-21 edge at the break.

Newman scored 12 points- the only player in double figures in the first 20 minutes.

The score went back and forth from single digits to the low double digits through the first eight and a half minutes of the second frame.  But when Sophomore Trevor Clay drained a three pointer with 11:19 remaining ACU stayed in front by double digits for good.

Arizona Christian closed out the game with a 33-17 scoring spread to create the final difference on the scoreboard.

Sterling cashed in 15 points in the second half on the strength of 5-8 shooting that included 4-7 of behind the three point line.

Next on the schedule for the Firestorm is NAIA National Finalist Westmont on the road in Santa Barbara.  The teams will tip-off on Thursday at 8:30 pm (AT)/ 7:30 pm (PT).