Phoenix, AZ- Despite being down as many as 14 points in the second half, the Firestorm came back to take their only lead of the game.  But The Master's defeated Arizona Christian 84-79 on Saturday.  Senior Shy McClelland delivered a game high 21 points.

The Firestorm (5-1, 0-1 GSAC) and the Mustangs (8-1, 1-1 GSAC)- the top two scoring teams in the GSAC-  started their contest with a three point barrage as six of the first seven baskets were notched from the three point arc.

TMU struck first before McClelland tied the score at 3-3.  The Master's then grabbed a 6-3 lead and remained in front for the remainder of the first half.

At the break, ACU found themselves behind 49-37 with 13 points being their largest deficit.  McClelland was already up to 12 points after 20 minutes of play.

Down 64-54 with 11 minutes to play, ACU climbed right back into the game with a 20-8 run over the next six minutes.  Senior Chris Sterling scored seven points during the run.  McClelland knocked five points including the go ahead three pointer at 74-72.

But the Mustangs held the Firestorm to just five points in the final five minutes.

The teams shot nearly identical from the field- ACU 41.4% and TMU 41.5%.

Head Coach Jeff Rutter pointed the numbers of the game with this comment- "Statistically, the box score was almost identical. The only difference was they took several more shots than we did. We were turned it over four more times and gave them four more offensive rebounds.  Several of those rebounds came as we were making a run...just killed momentum for us."

Sterling and Freshman Matt Willkomm both produced 13 points.

Coach Rutter expressed his disappointment by stating, "We did not have a good week of practice.  Effort and focus were inconsistent, lots of self-imposed distractions... it carried over and the result was The Master's was better prepared to play and seemed to want it a little bit more.  The very last possession, loose ball, TMU goes to the floor, we bend over and reach for it- Kind of sums up the game."

However Rutter's optimism showed when he said, "We have really good guys, I believe in them, and know we will get better.  Some guys had some very good things to say in the locker room afterwards.  I'm expecting a better practice Monday."

On Wednesday, Arizona Christian will host NCAA Division II Western New Mexico at 7:30 pm.