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Arizona Christian University

OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE OF ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Bradley layup
Khaxil Stewart
61
Lewis-Clark State LCSC 0-1
79
Winner Arizona Christian ACU 1-0
Lewis-Clark State LCSC
0-1
61
Final
79
Arizona Christian ACU
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Lewis-Clark State LCSC 25 36 61
Arizona Christian ACU 37 42 79

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Tim Gooszen

No. 2 Arizona Christian Beats Lewis-Clark State In Season Opener

Glendale, Ariz.- With lots of new faces contributing, NAIA ranked number two Arizona Christian finished strong as they defeated Lewis-Clark State on Friday evening to open their 2025-26 season.  Ese Onakpoma, the only returner that played, scored a game high 16 points while Jay Lee delivered a double-double in his first Firestorm action.

Game Info
  • Game score: Arizona Christian - 79, Lewis-Clark State - 61
  • Records: Arizona Christian - 1-0, Lewis-Clark State - 0-1
  • NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - 2, Lewis-Clark State - RV
  • Location: ACU Events Center, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

ACU Stats For The Day
Inside the Box Score
  • Lee had his first point and rebound in an ACU uniform before a minute had passed into the season
  • The next four baskets resulted in four lead changes with Bradley accounting for the last of changes
  • After building as large as a 16 point lead, ACU was ahead 37-25 at the break
  • Onakpoma was contributed 11 first half points
  • The Warriors starting chipping away and with 10:25 remaining grabbed a 52-51 lead
  • Bradley once again moved ACU in front with a pair of free throws
  • ACU took off from there as they outscored LCSC 28-9 in the final ten minutes
  • All 13 of DeHorney points came in the second half
  • The Firestorm held the Warriors to 39.1% shooting and 38.5% shooting from the charity stripe on the night

Thoughts from Coach Rutter
"We did a nice job defensively tonight against a perennial national tournament team.  They are always so tough and well-coached.  It felt like the first game of the season with not much rhythm to our offense but we had several guys step up and make big plays for us.  Sabien, Ron, and Mikey all had stretches where they got hot and carried us during some stretches where we were struggling to score.  We have a lot of work to do and need to be able to execute the little things a lot better but this new group of guys (eleven newcomers) has been hard working and hungry to grow so I think we are going to see some big improvements on the horizon."

Up Next
Next week, the Firestorm will head to  Parkville, MO, for a three game stretch in the Remy Williams Memorial Invitational.  Arizona Christian will begin the trip with a Halloween matchup against Peru State (like LCSC- receiving votes in the NAIA).
 
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