Phoenix, AZ- After leading for most of the first 34 minutes of the game, Arizona Christian could not finish off Vanguard and came up short 76-72 in their GSAC opener on Saturday afternoon.  Senior Sam Finley topped everyone with 22 points.

Sophomore Lawrence Combs scored the first three points of the game with a jumper and one.  Junior Callum Lawson cashed in an offensive rebound for a 5-2 cushion.  The Lions (11-6, 1-1 GSAC) tied the game at 5-5 with a three pointer.

Lawson and Combs combined for the next four points and the Firestorm (12-3, 0-1 GSAC) moved ahead through halftime and beyond.

Finley ended the first half with 15 points to help ACU hold a 46-38 edge.  Lawson was dialed in with 13 points (on 5-6 shooting) and seven rebounds in the first 20 minutes.

A pair of layups from Combs (14 total points) gave Arizona Christian a 12 point advantage- their largest lead of the contest- just over two minutes into the second half.

With 11 minutes remaining, Vanguard used a three pointer to take their first lead of the game at 53-52.

Following a few lead changes, Junior Torrian Epps sent ACU ahead 59-58.  Arizona held a 63-62 lead with 5:58 to play.

However, three straight ACU possessions ending in turnovers allowed Vanguard to creep ahead.  A three pointer for Finley (his fourth of the game) knotted the contest at 70-70 with 2:03 to go.  The Lions scored on their next trip down the floor and converted 4-5 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Rebounding went in favor of ACU 45-37 thanks in large part to Lawson securing 16 boards.  Combined with his 15 points- Lawson was good for his sixth double-double of the season.

On Thursday, the top two offenses in the GSAC will square off when the Firestorm host The Master's at 7:30 pm.