Box Score FULLERTON, Calif. – The 19th ranked Arizona Christian Firestorm men's basketball team fell to the 2nd ranked Hope International Royals on Saturday evening by a final of 73-72 in a GSAC Semifinal Tournament Game on the campus of Hope International University in Fullerton, California.
With the loss, the 19th ranked Firestorm see their record drop to 24-8 overall and have to wait and see if they will earn an at-large bid into the NAIA National Basketball Tournament. With the victory, the Hope International Royals advance to the GSAC Championship game against Concordia University and see their overall record improve to 28-2.
After a strong first half of play between the #1 and #4 seeds in the GSAC tournament, the #1 Hope International Royals took a slim lead at 33-30 into the halftime break. Arizona Christian shot 47% (8-for-17) from the field in the first half, but shot just 37% (3-for-8) from beyond the three-point arc. The Firestorm capitalized on their chances from the charity stripe, shooting 68% (11-for-16) in the first half. Hope International shot 36% (12-for-33) from the floor in the first half, and shot an amazing 53% (8-for-15) from beyond the three-point arc. The Royals however attempted just four free-throws in the first half, making just one of them.
Arizona Christian outscored Hope International 42-40 in the second half, but some plays down the final stretch went in the home teams favor; as the Royals held on for the one point win at 73-72. The Firestorm shot 51% (14-for-27) in the second half from the floor and shot 75% (3-of-4) from beyond the three-point arc, as well as an impressive 78% (11-for-14) from the free-throw line. Hope International shot 56% (13-for-23) from the floor and struggled from the three-point arc in the second half. The Royals shot 41% (5-for-12) from deep and shot just 60% (9-for-15) from the free-throw line.
In the loss, the Firestorm had four players finish in double-figures; with both Bobby Gray and Kevin Lawson finishing with 15 points apiece. Gray shot 5-of-10 from the field and was 5-of-7 from the free-throw line. Lawson shot 5-of-8 from the field and made both of his free-throw attempts on the night.
The Firestorm men will now have to wait and see if they will earn an at-large bid into the NAIA National Basketball Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. Teams will be selected in the coming week for the National Tournament.
