Phoenix, AZ- Taking advantage of their height edge, Arizona Christian dominated the paint with 50 points from the key in their 87-81 win over Olivet Nazarene on Saturday.  Sophomore Patson Siame and Senior Steven Loucks accounted for 38 points on an impressive combined 16-18 shooting.

With only one ONU player taller than 6-5, the 6-11 Siame and 6-7 Loucks were immediately setup for career games.  The Tigers (2-10) scored the first two baskets before the Firestorm (7-1) started to feed Patson the rock deep in the paint.  Siame responded by scoring eight of the first ten ACU points.

The teams exchanged seven ties and four lead changes in the first half with ACU holding their largest lead of 36-30 at the 2:18 mark.  But the quick shooting ONU closed out the half on a 10-1 run to hold a 40-37 lead at the break.

Patson recorded a half high 13 points on 6-7 shooting.  The 13 point effort in 20 minutes was already an ACU career high for him.  With six rebounds, he was also well on his way to his first career double-double.

Falling behind by seven twice within the first five and a half minutes of the second half, ACU used a layup by Senior Chris Sterling to take a 55-54 edge.  Olivet Nazarene forged a tie at 61-61 before Junior Matt Willkomm scored seven of the next nine Arizona Christian points and the Firestorm remained in front from there.

ONU hit more three pointers and free throws but ACU connected on six more total field goals thanks to knocking down 52.8% of their second half field goals.

Shooting 10-11 from the field and 3-3 from the charity stripe, Patson ended with 23 points and 10 rebounds- both career highs.  Loucks was also impactful as he finished with an ACU high 15 points (6-7 shooting and 3-4 from the line) and eight rebounds.

Joining Patson and Loucks in double figures were Sterling (13 points) and Willkomm (11 points).  Senior Shy McClelland was solid with eight points, six assists, four rebounds, and three steals.

Head Coach Jeff Rutter offered these comments, "Olivet is difficult to guard.  They are very skilled, run good stuff, and are constantly screening and looking for each other.  We talked at half time about being unselfish and doing things defensively to help a teammate.  Things like ball pressure and being in position to help.  We did a nice job of those things in the second half and were able to hold Olivet off despite off shooting night.  We settled in on a lineup that was locked in defensively and we rode them tonight down the stretch."

Rutter continued with this thought- "We were able to get consistent stops and convert them into good offense on the other end.  Patson and Steven did a great job finishing tonight.  They both had some strong moves, finishing through contact.  Both played with good energy- it is fun to watch them improve."

The Firestorm will have a busy week before Christmas as they play three games in four days beginning with on a game on Monday against Southwestern Christian at the Cactus Classic.  Tip-off is set for 8:00 pm at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.