Phoenix, AZ- In their final tune-up before opening GSAC play, Arizona Christian cruised past Benedictine-Mesa on Saturday 74-59.  Sophomore Courtney Christmas contributed a double-double of 10 points and 16 rebounds while Junior Suzie Castro-Larsen and Sophomore Makayla Enders just missed ordering up a double-double as well.

Enders scored less than five seconds into contest.  The Redhawks (5-6) tied the score before Senior Courtney Leach hit a jumper and Christmas nailed a three pointer for a 7-2 ACU edge.

But Benedictine scored seven unanswered points to build a 9-7 advantage which turned into an 11-9 edge.  Sophomore Jada Willingham converted back-to-back baskets with a steal in between to make it a 13-11 game.

The Redhawks tied the score one more time before the Firestorm (5-4) closed out the first quarter with a 10-4 burst keyed by eight straight points from Enders.

ACU would remain in front for the rest of the contest as they outscored Benedictine in three of the four quarters.

At the break, Arizona Christian held a 44-33 lead.  Enders topped ACU with 11 points and four rebounds in the first half.  The Firestorm hit 58.1 percent of their shots in the first 20 minutes.

Rebounding was a big part of the second half play for ACU as the trio of Christmas, Castro-Larsen, and Enders pulled down a combined 18 boards after the break. 

Behind the Christmas line of 10 points, 16 rebounds, and an impressive six blocks, Enders nailed 8-12 shots from the field and 6-8 free throws for a game high 22 points to go along with eight rebounds.  Castro-Larsen accounted for ten boards including seven offensive and was just a point off a double-double at nine.

The Firestorm now head into Golden State Athletic Conference play as they host The Master's on Saturday at 2:00 pm.