Prescott, AZ- Playing their final game of the 2016 calendar year, Arizona Christian let an 11 point lead slip through their fingers as they fell 66-55 to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical on Friday.  Sophomore Makayla Enders topped the Firestorm with 15 points and 7 rebounds.

Quarter number one played out as a back and forth effort of four ties and three lead changes with no lead larger than four points for either team.  Sophomore Jada Willingham converted a pair of free throws to give ACU a lead to close out the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the defense of the Firestorm (7-5) held the offense of the Eagles (7-7) to just five points.  Meanwhile, ACU only scored 11 points in the second frame but held a 25-18 edge at the break.

Willingham and Enders both topped all scorers with only six points after 20 minutes of action.

After building their largest lead of 11 points three minutes into the third period on a pair free throws by Junior Suzie Castro-Larsen, the Firestorm saw the first year Eagles countered to twice tie the score.  Castro-Larsen scored in the closing seconds of the third quarter to help Arizona Christian hold a 44-42 advantage.

Following the eighth tie of the game early in the fourth, Enders delivered a two point cushion at 46-44.  However, Embry-Riddle used a three pointer on their next trip down the floor to move ahead for the rest of the game.

At game's end, Enders was followed by 13 points from Sophomore Courtney Christmas and 11 points by Willingham.

Just three days into the new year, the Firestorm face the daunting task of returning to GSAC play as they host #4 Westmont on Tuesday at 5:30 pm.