Phoenix, AZ- The old saying that basketball is a game of runs was on display on Saturday night as Arizona Christian and Bethesda exchanged scoring runs and leads throughout their game.  The Firestorm prevailed 85-74 over the Flames thanks to Freshman Makayla Enders scoring 20 points off the bench.  Freshman Courtney Christmas added 18 points.

The game started out in great fashion for the Firestorm (8-5) as they used scoring from Freshman Jada Willingham, Christmas, and Senior Alyssa Gruber to build an 8-0 lead just two minutes and 15 seconds into the game.  They pushed out to an 11 point advantage twice- the last time coming at 15-4 with 4:45 remaining in the quarter.

The Flames (8-6) cut the deficit to three before ACU extended back out to a ten point edge.  But BUC used the last two minutes to produce a 10-2 run to close out the quarter down just two.

Less than a minute into the second quarter, Bethesda grabbed a three point edge.  Senior Madison Austin forced a tied and Christmas gave ACU a brief two point lead at 34-32.  Bethesda turned their deficit quickly into a nine point edge and ultimately a six point (46-40) half time lead.

At the break, Enders produced a team high nine points.  The Flames had two players with 10 points or more.  Both teams converted 16 field goals in the first half but Bethesda made five more three pointers to account for their lead.

Head Coach Odell Berry stated, "Bethesda is a very aggressive, up-tempo team.  They have played some NCAA DI teams and competed well with them.  They have also defeated some of our tough GSAC opponents.  Coming into tonight's game we weren't sure if we could slow them down enough to keep up.  They had a good shooting first half and a lead, but it gave us a chance to see what they liked to do.  The staff found some things we thought would slow them down a bit, and those adjustments worked to our benefit."

Down eight just 19 seconds into the third quarter, the Firestorm answered with a 12-3 run of their own to take the lead back at 52-51 thanks to a Willingham free throw.  After another lead change, Enders scored on a layup to once again change the team leading in points.

By quarter's end, the teams were knotted at 59-59.

Enders opened the scoring in the fourth quarter and the Firestorm would not look back the rest of the evening.  Enders reached her 20 point total on the strength of nailing a perfect 4-4 shooting from behind the three point line.  She was also 4-5 from the free throw line.

Christmas recorded 11 of her 18 points in the second half.  She grabbed nine rebounds with seven coming in the second half.  Austin reached double-double status with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Senior Jazmin Mays dished out seven assists and pulled down eight rebounds including a half high of seven rebounds in the first half.

Defensively, the Firestorm held the Flames to just 20.4% shooting in the second half.

Coach Berry added, "It was really good to see our young players continue to step up tonight. Enders had a great shooting night and gave us 20 points.  Willingham added 13 and Christmas continued her consistent play with 18.  Seniors also contributed- Austin gave a double-double effort with points and rebounds while Gruber was our fifth player in a balanced double digit scoring attack.  Mays gave us a great floor game with assists, rebounds, and handling Bethesda's relentless pressure."

In his final thoughts of the night, Coach Berry commented "Overall, I was very proud of our effort this weekend.  We played two very good opponents.  We played with intensity and maturity.  We kept our focus and came from behind both nights for two great wins."

After spending Christmas with their families, the Firestorm with return to the court in Fultz Memorial Gym to host Northern New Mexico on Monday, December 28, at 5:00 pm.