Phoenix, AZ- On Saturday, Arizona Christian did just about everything right but win as they fell 81-79 to #16 William Jessup on a last second basket.  Senior Chris Sterling poured in a game high 23 points.  Sophomore Patson Siame rejected six shots in the contest.

A snapshot of the first five minutes is a good sample of the game.  Four lead changes and a tie took place in the first five minutes.  By game's end, the teams exchanged 17 lead changes and 10 ties.

Sterling accounted for seven of the first 11 points in that five minute span.  Senior Steven Loucks scored the other four points.

Trailing 26-24 with six minutes to play in the half, Siame made a pair of free throws to tie the game at 26-26.  Senior Mishima Gray went on a five point solo mission as he made a jumper in the paint before dialing in a three ball on the next ACU possession.  The Firestorm (12-7, 0-7 GSAC) remained in front the rest of the half thanks in a part to a three pointer by Junior Al Brown with just under a minute to play in the opening 20 minutes.

Fourteen points from Sterling in the first half helped ACU hold a 40-36 edge.  Arizona Christian shot 45.8% from the floor before the break.

Junior Matt Willkomm came out of the break with the hot hand and buried the first eight ACU points of the second half- two three pointers and a drive to the basket.

A Brown three moved Arizona Christian ahead 51-48 with 14:30 to play.  Fending off each surge and seeing several ties ACU did not surrender the lead for the next 11 minutes.  With ACU up 75-70, the Warriors (15-5, 5-1 GSAC) hit back-to-back three pointers on consecutive trips down the floor to grab the lead.

Gray made a pair of free throws for the 77-76 edge.  Sterling made it 79-76 with 1:37 to play.  A free throw and basket for William Jessup tied the score at 79-79 with 45 seconds to go.

A missed three pointer, offensive rebound, and then turnover on a shot clock violation by the Firestorm set up the dramatic finish.  Unfortunately, the Warriors made a layup with about two seconds remaining to pull out the win and keep the Firestorm looking for their first win in conference.

Behind the 23 point effort of Sterling, Willkomm added 19 points.  Siame finished with 10 points.

Their next opportunity for a GSAC win will come on Thursday as the Firestorm travel to Grossmont College to meet up with San Diego Christian.  The game is scheduled for a 7:30 pm PT/ 8:30 AT start.