PHOENIX, Ariz. - Senior guard A.J. Koch (Tucson, Ariz./Flowing Wells H.S.) scored 20 points with 4 three-point field goals and became the 13th player in Arizona Christian University men's basketball history to score over 1000 career points as the Firestorm recorded a 97-72 non- conference collegiate men's basketball victory over Northern New Mexico College, Friday, December 14, in Fultz Memorial Gym on the ACU campus. ACU improved its season record to 5-1, with two victories over the Eagles this season, while NNMC's record fell to 4-12. 

Koch's fast break lay-up with 4:27 left in the game gave him 20 points for the game and 1001 in his four-year career. Koch has averaged 11.51 points per game in 87 career games. 

ACU hosts Carroll College (0-8) from Helena, Montana, Tuesday, December 18, at 7:30 p.m., and takes on La Sierra University (Calif.), Thursday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m., in Fultz Memorial Gym on the ACU campus. In ACU's final game before Christmas, the Firestorm meets University of Great Falls at Scottsdale Community College, Saturday, Dec. 22, at 4 p.m. 

Northern New Mexico led most of the first eight minutes of the contest, taking a five-point lead, 14-9, with 14:24 left. ACU erased the Eagles' advantage and after leading 17-16 at the 12:06 mark, the Firestorm never trailed again. ACU went on a 16-2 run and led 31-18 with 8:01 remaining and led by 14 points twice, 43-29, and 47-33 with 25 seconds left before intermission. 

A 23-4 run by ACU in the first 6:52 of the second half gave the Firestorm its biggest lead of the game, 70-37, and the hosts led by no less than 19 points the rest of the contest. ACU outscored NNMC, 46-20, in the paint, and took advantage of 18 NNMC turnovers to score 27 points, while allowing 16 points on 13 turnovers of its own. The Firestorm made 19 of its 30 shots, a fine .633 percentage. 

Junior guard Jordan Block (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Claremont H.S./Pasadena City College) led all players in the game with 22 points, 12 in the second half, and had one three-pointer, four rebounds and one blocked shot. Koch finished with 20 points, 11 in the second half, 4 three- pointers, six rebounds, six assists and one steal, and junior guard Charles King (Houston, Tex./Stephen F. Austin H.S./Phoenix College) added 15 points, one three-pointer, five rebounds, three assists and four steals. Junior guard Mason Jones (Huntington Beach, Calif./Ocean View H.S./Eastern Oregon Univ.) totaled 12 points, four rebounds, seven assists and six steals, and off the bench, junior guard Greg Womack (Edmond, Okla./Edmond North H.S./Maryland-Eastern Shore) contributed eight points with 2 three-pointers and two rebounds. 

Junior center Daniel Cornelius (Phoenix, Ariz./Phoenix Christian H.S.) added five points and five rebounds, one blocked shot and one steal, and freshman forward Mike Navar (Chino, Calif./Chino Hills H.S.) gave ACU four points, seven rebounds, one blocked shot and one steal. Freshman forward Jackson Helms (Murrietta, Calif./Murrieta Valley H.S.) totaled five points, eight rebounds, one blocked shot and two steals before fouling out. 

Guard Gabriel Martinez led NNMC with 19 points and made 5 of his 7 three-point field goal attempts, and also had three rebounds and two assists, and center Orlando Echave finished with 15 points, 10 in the first half, six rebounds and one steal. Off the Eagles' bench, guard Brandon Holland added 12 points, 2 three-pointers, and six rebounds, and guard Christian Barraza contributed eight points and two rebounds. 

ACU, which ranks eighth in the NAIA Division I in total rebound margin, out-rebounded Northern New Mexico, 50-34, and also grabbed 18 offensive rebounds, four more than its average of 14.0, which ranks 13th in the NAIA Division I. ACU, which ranks second in free throw percentage as a team (.779) made 17 off 22 from the charity stripe against NNMC.