Box Score Glendale, Ariz.- In what can best be described as a trap game after beating a team 30 plus and next heading into a two game fight with the other undefeated team in the conference bracket, Arizona Christian outlasted OUAZ on Saturday afternoon 83-75. Senior Darius Goudeau doubled up with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
- Game score: Arizona Christian - 83, OUAZ - 75
- Records: Arizona Christian - 20-2, 6-0 GSAC, OUAZ - 8-4, 3-3 GSAC
- NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - 5, OUAZ - not ranked
- Location: ACU Events Center, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ
- ACU scored first before OUAZ countered with a 10-0 run
- A 10-0 run from the Firestorm set the stage for a close back and forth game
- Neither team led by double digits in the first 20 minutes
- Arizona Christian was up 34-33 at the break
- Up just one (44-43) with 15 minutes to play, the Firestorm went on a 15-0 run
- Davis scored nine straight points during the run
- ACU lead the rest of the way but OUAZ cut the deficit to single digits several times
Thoughts from Coach Rutter
"These back to back games against the same opponent are challenging. It is especially difficult if you have success in the first game. There has been lots of examples of 30 point turnarounds across the college basketball. That said, I think we have handled that challenge maturely. OUAZ came out with some fire and I thought we stayed composed and played hard. It was a bad offensive half for us. Lots of careless turnovers and quick shots but our defense kept us in the game. We settled down offensively and got back to our game in the second half and had a nice run. It was a choppy the last several minutes and I am proud of how our guys stayed poised with some calls we did not agree with. More poised than I did. We executed well down the stretch and were able to hold on for the win."
Up Next
On Friday, the No. 5 Firestorm, 6-0 in the GSAC East, will host the No. 24 William Jessup- also 6-0 in the GSAC East. Tip-off will come at 5:00 pm.
