Phoenix, AZ- When the top two offenses in the GSAC get together one expects a scoring shooting out.  The 2016 edition between top scoring #16 Westmont and second in scoring #19 Arizona Christian did not disappoint as the Firestorm outlasted the Warriors 97-88.  ACU spread the wealth around as five finished in double figures led Senior Brandon Newman scoring 21.

Senior Bobby Gray jump started the Firestorm (19-5, 7-4 GSAC) with a three pointer from the left wing and then a steal turned outlet pass by Gray to Junior Chris Sterling for a quick 5-0 edge.

The Warriors (17-7, 6-5 GSAC) used the next minute to tie the score at 5-5.

A 7-0 run moved ACU ahead by that same margin before WC countered with a 9-2 run to knot the game at 14-14.

But Arizona Christian used a 16-3 explosion over the next four plus minutes to grab a 30-17 edge.  The balanced attack of ACU was on display as six different players scored with only Sterling scoring more than three points.  The lead remained in the possession of ACU for the remainder of the contest- though Westmont did make things interesting down the stretch.

Just before halftime the Firestorm grabbed their largest lead to that point thanks to a three pointer by Senior Sharif Watson out of the left corner in the closing seconds.

Despite being up 50-31 at the break, there was not a Firestorm in double digits.  Newman and Sterling both sat at nine points.  Westmont's Sean McDonnell was well on his way to his double-double with 12 points and seven boards in the first 20 minutes.

Out of the break, ACU found themselves up 21 twice within the first two minutes.  However, the Warriors quickly closed the cap with a 17-2 run to eliminate the thought of a blowout affair.

After the lead dropped down to as low as six, the key to the Firestorm maintaining control of the game and their lead was a 12-1 exchange as the game went under 10 minutes remaining.

Six points was as close as the game would get the rest of the way.

Joining Newman in the ten plus scoring category was Sterling with 17 points, Gray with 12 points (and a game high eight assists with just one turnover), Watson at 11 points, and Junior Mishima Gray reaching 11 points thanks to hitting 5-6 shots from the floor.

For Westmont, McDonnell finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds.  Gerald Karczewski accounted for 19 points off the bench.

Focusing on Westmont shooting 60% from the field for the game, Head Coach Jeff Rutter stated, "That's a great win against a very good team.  They shoot the ball so well making it a real difficult matchup.  I thought we played with great energy, took care of the ball, and played pretty good defense in the first half."

Rutter added, "We are pretty good when we play within ourselves- not as good when we don't play ACU basketball.  I thought we did a good job playing with passion but not getting too emotional.  As well as Westmont shot the ball, there were lots of opportunities to cave under pressure but our guys were pretty tough mentally tonight."

Come Saturday, Arizona Christian will have a chance to lock a spot in the GSAC playoffs when they head to San Diego Christian- the one team that still has a chance to keep ACU out.  The Firestorm and the Hawks will tip at Grossmont College at 5:00 pm (AT)/ 4:00 pm (PT).