Glendale, Ariz.- Facing a 15 point deficit with 9:57 left in the game, NAIA ranked number two Arizona Christian found the needed offense to mount a comeback to force overtime and then hold off NAIA ranked number 12 The College of Idaho.
Game Info
- Game score: Arizona Christian - 75, College of Idaho - 73 OT
- Records: Arizona Christian - 10-1, 2-0 GSAC, College of Idaho - 5-3
- NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - 2, College of Idaho - 12
- Location: ACU Events Center, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ
ACU Stats For The Day
Inside the Box Score
- The first four minutes played to an 8-8 tie
- CI moved in front which started four scoring possessions that resulted in four lead changes
- With 9:17 showing on the first half clock, the Yotes took the lead and stayed ahead for the rest of the half
- CI's tight defense held ACU to just 21.6% shooting in the first half
- The Yotes built as large as a 15 point lead twice in the second half with the second time at 9:57
- At the 4:43 mark, the Firestorm still trailed by 12 (62-50)
- But ACU gave up just two points the remainder of regulation
- Cain brought ACU with one with a three pointer at 55 seconds left
- Four seconds showed on the clock when Cain hit a free throw to forge the 64-64 free throw and force OT
- Ese Onakpoma scored the first points of OT and Reighard connected on a three pointer
- The Firestorm kept the top edge until 14 seconds remained when a CI three knotted the game at 73 with 14 seconds left
- With six seconds remaining, Onakpoma converted two free throws for the game winning points
- ACU survived a last second three point attempt
- Their 15 point comeback ranks in their top ten biggest deficits overcome since joining in the NAIA in 2009-10
- ACU has won their last six overtime games dating back three seasons
- Friday was the first time ACU has played in an overtime game at home since 2017
Thoughts from Coach Rutter
"We didn't play a very good game, we are thinking too much and got tentative. Midway through the second half we picked up the pressure and got much more aggressive and it carried over to the offensive end. I'm really proud of the effort and resilience tonight. We have a lot of guys banged up, didn't shoot well, but kept at it and things started to go our way over time. Gritty performance!
"
Up Next
Arizona Christian will get in one more GSAC game before the new year as they travel to face Benedictine Mesa in the Physical Education Center in Mesa. Game time is set for 2:00 pm next Saturday (December 6).
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