Phoenix, AZ- On Saturday, Arizona Christian beat Olivet Nazarene in a 113-108 shootout in their last game before the calendar turns to 2018.  Junior Courtney Christmas dropped in 31 points while Junior Makayla Enders was right behind at 30 points.

The Tigers (10-6) set the tone early for the defense optional game as they fired off seven shots in the first minute.  The ONU press caused three ACU turnovers in that same time frame.  Olivet Nazarene jumped out to a 4-0 lead before unleashing a 35 point first quarter.

After trailing by as many as 14 points as late as 4:52 left in the first half, the Firestorm (11-2) chipped away and found themselves down just four (60-56) at the break.

Christmas topped everyone with 19 points in the first 20 minutes.  Enders was at 15 points on 7-10 shooting.

Quarter three was all about ties (three) and lead changes (11).  Sophomore Toni Davis drained a three pointer to force the first tie of the game at 67-67.  Christmas hit a jumper for the first ACU lead at 73-72 with five minutes to go in the third.  With under a minute left, Freshman Sierra Stephan connected on a three pointer for a 90-88 ACU edge.

When the fourth quarter finally rolled around, Arizona Christian never surrendered the lead building as big as a nine point advantage.

At game's end, both teams made 42 shots.  But ACU "only" took 75 shots- their third highest game total of the season.  Meanwhile, ONU jacked up 107 shots including 47 three point attempts.  ACU earned the win at the free throw line where they converted 21 of 28 trips to the line.

To go along with her 31 points, Christmas pulled down 12 rebounds, earned seven assists, denied six shots, and collected five steals.  Enders reached her 30 points on an impressive 10-16 shooting from the field and 9-9 at the charity stripe.

Davis ended her evening with 19 points.  Stephan and Junior Jac Moody accounted for 12 points.

Just two days into 2018 (Tuesday), the Firestorm will return to action.  For the first time this season, they will not find themselves playing in Fultz Memorial Gym as they head to Grand Canyon for an exhibition.  Tip-off is set for 6:00 pm in the final non-conference tune-up for ACU.