Phoenix, AZ- Opening their season in front of a homecoming crowd, Arizona Christian began their year with an 88-73 win over Antelope Valley on Friday night.  The Firestorm put on a rebounding clinic as they pulled down 63 boards.  Junior Callum Lawson impressed in his ACU debut with 18 points and 25 rebounds.

The Pioneers (0-1) scored the first two points of the game.  Senior Matt Willkomm nailed his first three pointer of the year to give the Firestorm (1-0) their first lead of the season.  UAV answered back for the 4-3 edge.  But Freshman Johannes Menzel knocked down a three pointer for the 6-4 advantage two and a half minutes into the game.

ACU took off from there as they built as large as a 22 point lead in the first 20 minutes of action.  The halftime score (48-26) reflected that score differential.

Lawson had already accounted for a double-double of 10 points and 14 rebounds as the teams headed to the locker rooms.

UAV came out of the break applying pressure as they trimmed their deficit to single digits.  With 7:21 left in the game, the Pioneers found themselves within seven (67-60).

But a three pointer from Menzel, a pair of free throws by Senior Sam Finley, and a layup from Menzel all pushed Arizona Christian back ahead by double digits.

Behind Lawson's 18, Willkomm and Finley both added 16 points.  Sophomore Lawrence Combs was good for ten points. 

The 25 rebounds for Lawson appears to be an ACU single game record since the Firestorm joined the NAIA in 2009.  Senior Patson Siame went for 18 rebounds.

On Monday, the Firestorm will turn right around and host NCAA DII Eastern New Mexico for an exhibition at 7:30 pm.