Box Score CHANDLER, AZ– The Arizona Christian Firestorm men's basketball team fell late on Thursday evening in an 83-76 loss to Carroll College from Montana on day one of the University of Great Falls Classic. This weekend's classic is being hosted by UGF; while the games are played at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Chandler, Arizona.
"Carroll really did a great job tonight," said ACU head coach Jeff Rutter. "They are a team that plays hard all the time, values each possession, and refuses to get out worked."
With the loss, the 19th ranked Firestorm fall to 6-3 overall and remain 2-0 in GSAC play. With the victory, Carroll College improves to 10-2 overall.
"We can learn a lot from a game like this," said ACU head coach Jeff Rutter. "Mainly, I need to do a better job of preparing us!"
The first half was a tight one between Carroll and ACU. The Firestorm would take a 31-28 advantage into the halftime break after shooting 50% from the field and 66% from the free-throw line. Both teams struggled in the first half from beyond the three-point arc, as ACU shot 1-for-9 from downtown and Carroll College shot just 1-for-8 in the first half.
In the second half, both teams came out blazing. The Firestorm shot 54% from the field and shot 38% from beyond the three-point arc. Carroll shot the ball even better than ACU, as they shot 51% from the field and an amazing 8-for-12 from beyond the three point arc; to go along with 85% (17-for-20) shooting from the free-throw line. ACU was outscored 55-45 in the high scoring second half.
In the losing effort, the Firestorm were led in scoring by Brandon Newman with 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Sharif Watson chipped in with 22 points and Mike Navar was the only other Firestorm player to score in double figures with 12 points.
"Fortunately, we have an opportunity to come back and play tomorrow and try to be a little tougher and give a better effort," said ACU head coach Jeff Rutter.
The Firestorm continue play in the University of Great Falls Classic tomorrow (Friday), when they take on the University of Lethbridge at 7pm. ACU will close out play in the classic on Saturday against Rocky Mountain at 8pm. All games will be played on the campus of Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Chandler, Arizona.
