Box Score PHOENIX, AZ– The 11th ranked Arizona Christian Firestorm men's basketball team were upset by the 25th ranked Westmont Warriors on Thursday evening by a final of 72-66 inside of Fultz Memorial Gymnasium on the campus of Arizona Christian University.
With the loss, the 11th ranked Firestorm fall to 21-7 overall and 10-4 in GSAC play. With the victory, the 25th ranked Westmont Warriors improve to 18-8 overall and 10-3 in GSAC play.
Westmont and ACU battled throughout the first half, in what turned out to be a close half of play. The Warriors took the slim 40-34 edge into halftime. Westmont shot 50% (14-for-28) from the field and shot 43% (7-for-16) from beyond the three-point arc. The Warriors finished the first half 5-of-6 at the free-throw line. Arizona Christian shot 41% (13-for-31) from the field and shot just 27% (3-for-11) from beyond the three-point arc. The Firestorm shot 5-of-7 from the free-throw line in the first half.
In the second half, Westmont's intensity was high, but the Firestorm tried to claw back into the game. Both teams finished the second half with 32 points apiece; as Westmont held on for the six point victory. The Warriors shot just 38% (8-for-21) from the field and shot 42% (3-for-7) from beyond the three-point arc. Westmont struggled from the free-throw line as well, shooting 61% (13-for-21) in the second half. The Firestorm also struggled to shoot the ball in the second half, as the intensity picked up defensively. ACU shot 39% (11-for-28) from the field and struggled from beyond the three-point arc, shooting 16% (2-for-12). The Firestorm knocked down eight of their 11 free-throw attempts in the second half.
In the loss, the Firestorm had three players score in double-figures; with Mike Navar leading the way. Navar finished with a team high 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting, to go along with nine rebounds. Sharif Watson finished with a team high 10 rebounds.
The Firestorm men close out the home portion of their 2014-15 campaign this Saturday, when they welcome The Master's College Mustangs on Senior Night. Game time is scheduled for 4pm, with the women to precede the men's game at 2pm inside of Fultz Memorial Gymnasium.
