Phoenix, AZ- Despite a solid shooting effort, Arizona Christian could not contain Vanguard on Saturday afternoon- particularly Melissa Norman who had 25 points and 15 rebounds- as they fell 79-66.  Senior Madison Austin and Freshman Jada Willingham both scored a team high 15 points.

First three points of the game belonged to Austin on a three pointer from straight away.

The Lions (13-3, 5-1 GSAC) answered with two three pointers in less than a minute to take their first lead. 

Vanguard moved up to 12-4 edge before the Firestorm (9-11, 1-6 GSAC) closed the quarter out with a 10-3 run to find themselves down just one.  Another three for Austin, two buckets from Willingham, and a three pointer out of the hand of Senior Alyssa Gruber produced those 10 points for ACU.

With the start of the second quarter, Vanguard converted a free throw before Gruber nailed a jumper to tie the score at 16-16.

Two and a half minutes later, Austin laid home two points and the Firestorm were briefly back on top 21-20.  Twenty seconds later, a rebound and put back for Norman pushed the Lions back in the front for good.  Within one again twice, ACU found themselves down 37-30 at the break.

The only player in double figures was Norman for Vanguard with 14 points aided by eight rebounds.  Austin and Willingham topped Arizona Christian with eight points each.

Down five points early in the third quarter was a close as the Firestorm could manage in the second half.

At game's end, the Firestorm outshot the Lions 46.3% to 40.8%.  But Vanguard fired off 17 more shots after out rebounding Arizona Christian 48-27 overall and 24-7 on the offensive glass.

Senior Jazmin Mays contributed 12 points while Freshman Courtney Christmas added 10 points.

On Thursday, the Firestorm will find themselves up in Rocklin to play William Jessup.  The game will start at 6:30 pm (AT)/ 5:30 pm (PT).