Box Score
Glendale, Ariz.- Down 13 with 11:25 left, No. 1 Arizona Christian mounted a comeback against No. 18 Montana Tech on the day after Thanksgiving. Trent Hudgens scored a game high 29 points.
- Game score: Arizona Christian - 84, Montana Tech - 59
- Records: Arizona Christian - 6-1, Montana Tech - 6-1
- NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - 1, Montana Tech - 18
- Location: ACU Events Center, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ
- The first 13 minutes of action saw eight lead changes and five ties
- With five minutes left in the half, the Orediggers took the lead that carried to the break
- Hudgens topped everyone with 18 first half points
- Just over a minute into the second half, MTU built a double digit edge
- Following a pair of free throws, Montana Tech held a 68-55 lead
- On the next ACU possession, Hudgens nailed a three pointer and the comeback was on
- James Berry III gave ACU their first of the second half with an offensive rebound tip-in
- MTU tied the game at 75-75
- Blackwell broke the tie before Johnson scored five of the last seven ACU points
Thoughts from Coach Rutter
"Really proud of our guys for continuing to fight and stay united. I thought we were out-worked for most of the game. Montana Tech seemed to get every loose ball and did a great job defensively. We were off balance at the rim a lot and fumbled a lot of passes."
"We were the most aggressive team for the last 12 minutes or so and that thankfully that was enough to claw back in the game. I did not think we were very aggressive to start the game and I think the score showed that. When we are the more aggressive team, good things happen for us."
Up Next
A return to GSAC play awaits the Firestorm on Thursday as they host Hope International. The men will tip at 7:30 pm.
