Chandler, Ariz.- Playing shorthanded in their pre-Christmas finale, Arizona Christian held off Olivet Nazarene in their last game of the Cactus Classic. 

Game Info

• Game score:  Arizona Christian - 80, Olivet Nazarene - 75
• Records: Arizona Christian - 12-2, Olivet Nazarene - 10-4
• NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - 1, Olivet Nazarene - RV
• Location: Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Chandler, AZ

ACU Stats For The Day

• Paul Hayden - 19 points
• Mikah Blackwell - 17 points
• Bryce Davis - 16 points, 8 assists
• Dominic Gonzalez - 10 points
• James Berry III - 9 points

Inside the Box Score

• Berry started the game with a three before ONU scored the next four points
• Blackwell buried a three and Davis converted an "and one" to move ACU back in front
• The Firestorm kept and ballooned the lead to 13 on a basket and free throw from Shaun Wahlstrom with 5:34 left 
• The Tigers crept within five by the break
• Davis scored 11 first half points to go along with six boards
• About 100 seconds into the half, ONU moved ahead to start five lead changes in a row
• With 15:33 left in the game, Olivet Nazarene led 57-50
• But Gonzalez capped a 14-2 run with a three to bump ACU in front for good
• The Firestorm played their final pre-Christmas game short three players including two starters

Thoughts from Coach Rutter
"Really proud of our guys.  They showed some big-time toughness tonight.  Mikah was really good on both ends of the floor.  (Tyler) Schmidt is really good and Mikah made him work for what he got tonight.  Paul and Bryce were huge for us as well."

"I thought Ethan Blythe did a real good job for us as well, with AJ, Dennis, and Trent out, it really just left KeyVaughn and Dom who have played the point in practice.  They both got two quick fouls in the first half so Ethan was thrown in there to run the point and did a good job on Schmidt when Mikah got his second foul.  We are really looking forward to the break and what a great game to end the first semester on."

Up Next
The Firestorm will enjoy a break for Christmas.  On New Year's Eve, the Firestorm will head up the hill to Prescott to face Embry-Riddle at 2:00 pm.