Santa Barbara, CA- Facing the top team in the GSAC, #23 Arizona Christian exchanged lead changes and ties with #6 Westmont but the Warriors won 65-62 on Thursday evening.  Junior Makayla Enders scored a game high 25 points.

The first two minutes were a sign of things to come.  The Warriors (17-5, 9-1 GSAC) scored first followed by a three pointer from Enders and a three from Westmont for two lead changes to create a 5-3 game.

Midway through the first quarter, Enders drained another three ball to score the first eight ACU points and push ACU back in front.  The Firestorm (17-6, 6-4 GSAC) remained ahead through the end of the quarter (15-14).

Westmont started the second quarter by taking back the lead and held it until a 26-26 tie with 73 seconds to go in the half.  WC added a free throw before Enders scored on a layup and Sophomore Toni Davis nailed a beyond half court three pointer at the buzzer.  At the break, ACU was on top 31-27.

Enders (14 points) and Junior Courtney Christmas (12 points) combined to account for 26 of the 31 first half ACU points.  ACU connected on seven three pointers and shot 63.6 % from the arc.

Out of the break, Arizona Christian held the lead for the first three minutes but Westmont led the rest of the third quarter.

Down eight with seven minutes to play, the Firestorm countered with a 12-0 run to move ahead four.  Junior Jada Willingham converted two three pointers during the run.

With 49 seconds until the final buzzer, the teams were tied 60-60.  But the Firestorm missed their chance to climb within a game of first place in the playoff race as the Warriors produced five of the final seven points.

Enders reached her 25 points on 9-14 shooting in the game.  Christmas ended her night with 20 points.

Head Coach Odell Berry stated afterwards, "I was very proud of our effort tonight against the number one team in the GSAC.  We played with a lot of heart and competed very well.  We played some great basketball for about 37 minutes, it was the other three minutes that cost us the win.  I'm seeing continued improvement every game.  Now we have to build on the positives from tonight and put them to work against The Master's on Saturday."

Come Saturday, the Firestorm will find themselves in Santa Clarita for a 3:00 pm AT/ 2:00 pm PT game against The Master's.