Glendale, Ariz. - A GSAC playoff spot locked up this past weekend, the Lady Firestorm's sole focus now is on improving their seeding with only three conference games remaining. This prospect can gain traction this Saturday, as Arizona Christian hosts rival OUAZ (8-11, 0-11 GSAC) with the opportunity to sweep the season series.
Through February 10th, the Firestorm are the highest-scoring team in the GSAC (75.2 PPG), rank third in three-point field goal percentage (33.1) and remain the top defensive rebounding team (30.1 RPG). Alyssa Alvarez continues to hold second place in GSAC scoring (19.0 PPG), Emily Till's consistency on the boards keeps her second in rebounding (10.8 RPG), Lauren Gunn rises to sixth in assists (3.1 APG) and Halle Payne improves her field goal percentage yet again (48.5) to solidify fifth in the conference.
Game Details
Arizona Christian vs. OUAZ - Saturday, February 17 at 12:00 PM
ACU Events Center - Glendale, AZ
*All Times Listed Are Arizona Time
Tickets - https://acufirestorm.com/sports/2022/11/29/973_133142257298652889.aspxÂ
Prices- General Admission ($10), Alumni/Military/Senior ($5), ACU Students (Free), 12 and under (Free)
Live Coverage
Video - https://www.gsacsportsnetwork.com/azchristianÂ
Live Stats - https://acufirestorm.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summaryÂ
Arizona Christian
On Saturday afternoon, the Lady Firestorm utilized conference-bests in assists (19) and field goal percentage (51.5) to defeat the Life Pacific Warriors 83-61 on Mehl Court. After trailing 10-8 early in the first, Arizona Christian took control of the game from every standpoint. Five players surpassed 10 points and all 14 active Firestorm saw action.
Shaylynn De Yager was a firecracker for ACU, scoring 20 points (8-for-10 shooting) in only 14 minutes off the bench. Emily Till and Halle Payne were a deadly duo, combining for 25 points (12-for-21) and 14 rebounds. Lauren Gunn dished out seven assists, tallying 15 total for the week, and added 11 points to the scoreboard.
Not only did the Firestorm successfully sweep their season series with Life Pacific, but their fifth GSAC win locked up a spot in the postseason. They will enter the final three games of the regular season tied for sixth with Hope International (5-6) in the GSAC standings.
ACU Key Players
Alyssa Alvarez - 19.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.2 APG
Lauren Gunn - 13.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.1 APGÂ
Halle Payne - 12.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.5 APG
Graciela Roybal - 9.6 PPG, 1.1 RPG, 1.1 APG
Emily Till - 9.3 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 1.7 APG
Kayla Clark - 4.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.8 APG
Series Notes
A 98-77 win in Surprise on January 20th increased the Firestorm's lead to 13-1 in their all-time series with the OUAZ Spirit. ACU led by as many as 38 in the contest and Alvarez climbed to second on the program's all-time scoring list with 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting. It is still the Firestorm's second-best offensive performance in GSAC play (49.3%) and kept them perfect on the road in the series (6-0). The winning streak is at nine entering Saturday, including the previous four at ACU Events Center.Â
Coach Rusty Rogers' Thoughts
"Competing against OUAZ is always important to our program," Coach Rogers said. "Again, we are catching an opponent at their best as they are coming off a solid performance against Master's and a big win over Bethesda (CA). Our goal is to get ourselves in the best position possible for the GSAC Tournament and make a run for the title, so these final three games mean a lot to us!"
OUAZ
The Ottawa University Arizona Spirit (8-11, 0-11 GSAC) are the lone GSAC team that has yet to record a conference victory. OUAZ has been a part of five single-digit losses in GSAC play, including a narrow 58-57 loss against RV The Master's this past Saturday at The MacArthur Center. Their most recent competition was a 94-70 non-conference win over Bethesda (CA) on Monday in Anaheim, California. The Spirit won every quarter by at least four points and four players scored in the double-digits, led by Brianna Humphries (27 points, 13-of-16 shooting, 4 blocks). Through February 12th, OUAZ is tied for first with Menlo for team free-throw percentage (75.2) and fourth in team field goal percentage (41.6) in the GSAC. Humphries leads in points (14.7 PPG) and rebounds (7.7 RPG) while Angel Addleman is the assist leader (3.7 APG).Â
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Roll Storm!
