Rocklin, CA- On Saturday, Arizona Christian held off a feisty William Jessup squad 80-76.  The win kept ACU in third place in the GSAC and by virtue of a tiebreak locked up the number three seed in the upcoming GSAC tournament.  Junior Courtney Christmas topped the Firestorm with 26 points.

One minute into the contest, Christmas gave the Firestorm (20-7, 9-5 GSAC) a two point edge.  ACU remained in front for the rest of the first quarter- building as large as a nine point lead along the way.

However, after a free throw gave ACU a 21-18 lead, the Warriors (13-16, 4-10 GSAC) used a three pointer to tie the game at 21-21 just 14 seconds into the second quarter.  WJU remained in front until Christmas knocked down a triple with 3:54 left before the half.  The teams went back and forth until Junior Makayla Enders hit a couple free throws to account for the 40-38 ACU halftime edge.

At the break, Christmas stood at 19 points on the strength of four first half three pointers.  Enders was at 11 points.

Aside from one tie in the third quarter, ACU was on top the entire third ten minute session.

Six seconds into the final quarter, Junior Jada Willingham buried a three pointer for a ten point ACU advantage.  William Jessup would cut their deficit to four points three times including a three pointer at the buzzer by Ashlyn Jones (who finished with a game high 29 points) to account for the final 80-76 score.

Willingham and Sophomore Toni Davis both contributed nine of their 13 points in the second half.  Junior Jac Moody delivered 10 points and eight rebounds.

Head Coach Odell Berry commented, "Congratulations on a record breaking season ladies.  You closed out a great regular season in fine style. We were able to hold off a highly motivated William Jessup team today.  It was their final home game and Senior Day.  Their team played hard and hung in to the end.  But the Firestorm ladies battled back and were able to secure win number 20 on the road."

Coach Berry added, "Now we have just a few days to prepare for the conference tournament at Fultz Memorial Gym next weekend.  Come out and support Firestorm women's basketball."

Beginning on Friday, Arizona Christian will host the entire GSAC tournament on both the men's and women's sides.  The Firestorm will play sixth seed Hope International at 2:30 pm on Friday.