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Arizona Christian University

OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE OF ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Hudgens Layup
Khaxil Stewart
72
Hope International HIU 19-8, 8-5 GSAC
79
Winner Arizona Christian ACU 20-7, 9-4 GSAC
Hope International HIU
19-8, 8-5 GSAC
72
Final
79
Arizona Christian ACU
20-7, 9-4 GSAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Hope International HIU 31 41 72
Arizona Christian ACU 44 35 79

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Tim Gooszen

Firestorm Hold Off Royals, Remain Tied For First

Glendale, Ariz.- A strong first half on Thursday night allowed Arizona Christian just enough cushion to hold off a hard charging Hope International in the second half.  The win kept the Firestorm tied for first in the GSAC standings with one more regular season game to play on Saturday.

Game Info
  • Game score: Arizona Christian- 79, Hope International- 72
  • Records: Arizona Christian- 20-7, 9-4 GSAC, Hope International- 19-8, 8-5 GSAC
  • NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian- 24, Hope International- not ranked
  • Location: ACU Events Center, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

ACU Stats For The Day
Inside the Box Score
  • Hayden scored five of the first seven points of the evening as ACU was ahead 5-2
  • Though their lead shrunk to one five times in the first eight minutes, the Firestorm did not allow another tie until 15-15
  • After a bucket by Hudgens for a 17-15 edge, HIU hit a three pointer to take an 18-17 lead
  • But ACU reeled off 17 unanswered points to build a 16 point edge
  • Another three by Hayden extended the advantage to a game high 17 points with 4 minutes to play in the half
  • The Firestorm went to the locker room with a 44-31 edge
  • Howell and Hayden topped ACU with 11 points
  • With 10 minutes remaining in the game, Arizona Christian was whistled for their tenth foul of the half to send HIU to the double bonus
  • The Royals chipped away in the second half and climbed within three points twice in the final three minutes
  • ACU connected on enough free throws to stay ahead
  • Hope International was 34-38 at the line while the Firestorm attempted just 18 shots from the stripe
  • The win was number 20 on the season for ACU- the tenth time in Coach Rutter's 12 years that the Firestorm reached that win total

Thoughts from Coach Rutter
"I am really proud of our guys for their focus tonight.  They were locked in and executed on both ends from the start.  The second half was challenging.  Hope is so tough and really came out aggressive.  We did a nice job defensively but Hope got to the free throw so much (25 times) in the second half.  Our guys stayed poised and made plays at the end to hold them off.  We will need to be poised like that again Saturday against a very good Vanguard team."

Up Next
Arizona Christian will close out the regular season by hosting Vanguard on Saturday at 2:00 pm. A Firestorm win would give them at least a share of the GSAC title.
 
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