Box Score Glendale, AZ- After building a double digit lead and seeing Hope International come back to tie, Arizona Christian nailed a few key shots down the stretch to hold on for 65-60 win on Saturday. Senior Toni Davis topped all scorers with 24 points. Sophomore Baylee Slaughter doubled up with 11 points and 10 boards.
- Game score: Arizona Christian - 65, Hope International - 60
- Records: Arizona Christian - 7-9, 3-4 GSAC, Hope International - 12-4, 3-4 GSAC
- NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - not ranked, Hope International - not ranked
- Location: ACU Events Center, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ
- Toni Davis - 24 points (new career high )
- Des Gonzalez - 15 points
- Baylee Slaughter - 11 points, 10 rebounds
- HIU opened the scoring before ACU responded with an 11-0 run
- Firestorm lead by as many as 15 points before going to the locker room up 33-27
- Davis produced 13 first half points
- The Royals never moved back in front but forced two ties in the fourth including 59-59 with 51 seconds to play
- Gonzalez connected on a three, Quixmia Washington hit two free throws, and Gonzalez added a final free throw
Thoughts from Coach Rogers
"We talked a lot about the potential playoff implications today's game could be for us down the road so it was great to see our response. Our defense continues to get better--holding a good-shooting team to very low percentages validated that. We made big plays at critical times on offense and defense to make sure this one didn't get away from us."
Next for the Firestorm
On Tuesday, Arizona Christian will play just a few miles down the road at SAGU American Indian. Game is set for 6:00 pm.
