Fullerton, CA- Arizona Christian held as large as a 24 point lead on Saturday before falling 78-74 to Hope International.  Junior Makayla Enders accounted for 29 points on 11-18 shooting.

Senior Suzie Castro-Larsen opened the scoring followed by two ties and two lead changes.  Junior Jada Willingham converted a jumper to reclaim the lead at 8-6 and start an 11-1 run to push ACU in front by ten at 17-7.  Junior Courtney Christmas and Sophomore Kelsey Miranda both drained a three pointer in the run.

Before the end of the quarter, the Firestorm (14-4, 3-2 GSAC) had moved in front by as many as 12 points.

The second quarter only saw ACU build on their lead.  With 75 seconds left before the half, Arizona Christian held a 43-19 edge.  At the break, the score was 43-21.

ACU shot 45.9% in the first half and cashed in 17 points off turnovers. 

Enders dominated with 19 points in the first 20 minutes.  Christmas was sitting at nine points.

After the Firestorm allowed the Royals (14-6, 2-3 GSAC) just 21 points in the first half, HIU exploded for 29 third quarter points to make score 56-50 ACU at the break headed into the fourth quarter.

Scoring the first seven points, Hope International erased their deficit and took a 57-56 lead.  Six straight lead changes took place over the next three minutes.

A tip-in by Willingham with 5:51 to play turned out to be the last time ACU enjoyed the top side of the score.

HIU converted 65.7% of their shots in the second half and turned the tables on ACU with 23 points off turnovers in the final 20 minutes.

Behind the 29 point effort of Enders (a point off her career high), Christmas scored 22 points.  Sophomore Toni Davis added 10 points.  Willingham pulled down a game high 12 rebounds.

Head Coach Odell Berry offered these thoughts, "We had a very good first half at both ends of the court.  We had them rattled and they were in trouble.  Then we forgot we had to play the second half too.  They came out with increased intensity, scored a few baskets, and took back the momentum.  We had a few spurts but never really got it going again.  We did not play with focus in the second half.  We are a very good team, but we still have some work to do and we need to do it fast.  We have two very good teams coming to town next weekend."

The Firestorm will return home to host William Jessup on Thursday at 5:30 pm in Fultz Memorial Gym.