Box Score FULLERTON, CA– The 10th ranked Arizona Christian Firestorm men's basketball team fell on the road to the 3rd ranked Hope International Royals on Tuesday evening by a final of 84-74 in Fullerton, California.
With the loss, the 10th ranked Firestorm fall to 17-5 overall and are now in a three-way tie for second place in the conference at 6-2 in GSAC play. With the victory, the 3rd ranked Hope International Royals improve to 19-1 overall and are now the outright leaders in the GSAC with a 7-1 conference record.
In the first half, the Firestorm controlled the tempo and took a 34-31 lead into the halftime break. ACU shot 42% (12-for-28) from the floor and shot 60% (6-for-10) from beyond the three-point arc; while shooting a rough 50% (4-for-8) from the free-throw line. The Royals shot 38% (12-for-31) from the field and shot a horrid 9% (1-for-11) from behind the three-point arc, while shooting 66% (6-for-9) from the charity stripe.
The roles were reversed in the second half as the Royals found their stroke and ACU went ice cold from the field. Hope International shot 50% (16-for-32) from the field while shooting just 37% (3-for-8) from behind the three-point arc. HIU made it to the free-throw line quite a bit in the second half; shooting 85% (18-for-21) from the charity stripe. ACU on the other hand, shot just 37% (12-for-32) from the field in the second half, while shooting 13% (2-for-15) from the three-point arc. The Firestorm fared well from the free-throw line in the second half, shooting 77% (14-for-18).
In the losing effort, the Firestorm had three players score in double figures. Leading the way, was guard Brandon Newman with 19 points on 5-of-9 shooting with two rebounds and two assists.
Earlier in the day on Tuesday, the NAIA released their latest 2014-15 NAIA Division 1 Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll. In the latest poll, Hoper International received three first place votes and moved up a spot to 3rd in the nation. ACU moved up five spots from #15 to #10 after their 15 point victory over William Jessup last Saturday.
The Firestorm men will head home to Phoenix this weekend to begin their three-game homestand. Up first is a meeting with conference rival San Diego Christian. Opening tip for the men's game is scheduled for 4pm this Saturday at Fultz Memorial Gymnasium. The women's game will precede the men's game with a scheduled tip time set for 2pm.
