Box Score Surprise, Ariz.- Trailing by six points with 5:23 to play in the opening half, No. 6 Arizona Christian used a 13-5 run to take the lead and win against OUAZ. The win gave Head Coach Jeff Rutter a 40-0 ACU career record against all non-NCAA DI Arizona teams.
- Game score: Arizona Christian - 76, OUAZ - 72
- Records: Arizona Christian - 11-2, 3-2 GSAC, OUAZ - 7-4, 2-3 GSAC
- NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - 6, OUAZ - Not ranked
- Location: Faith Arena, Ottawa University Arizona, Surprise, AZ
- OUAZ made a jumper, Wilson hit a three for ACU, and the Spirit converted two free throws
- The two lead changes and tie were a sign of things to come in the first half
- Down 12-5, ACU answered with an 11-3 run to gain a 16-15 lead
- Hayden scored seven straight points to cap the run
- The Spirit broke an 18-18 tie and held a 28-22 edge with 5:23 to go
- After forcing three ties, Johnson made a buzz beater layup to end the half and push ACU in front
- Arizona Christian started half two with a 7-0 burst
- The Firestorm held a 12 point lead on three different occasions with the final time coming at 11:11 left following a dunk by Green
- OUAZ chipped away and reached a two point deficit with 10 seconds remaining
- Dominic Gonzalez iced the game with two free throws
- In the Rutter era, Arizona Christian is 40-0 against Benedictine-Mesa (12-0), OUAZ (9-0), SAGU American Indian (8-0), Park-Gilbert (6-0), and Embry-Riddle AZ (5-0)
Thoughts from Coach Rutter
"Great win. Really proud of our guys and how they battled. We have multiple key guys out with injuries and had several guys in foul trouble both halves, some other guys had opportunities to step up and they did. Our three "freshmen" (Marcus, Paul, and Dom) were really good tonight and played fearless. KeyVaughn was big as usual in big games. Robby, Bryce, and Xander Bowers can be a very special frontcourt and I think they showed that tonight. AJ did a good job on both ends of the floor."
Up Next
Arizona Christian has a little over a week off before they face a fellow NAIA top ten foe in Carroll College. The Firestorm and the Fighting Saints will meet next Friday on the neutral court of Chandler-Gilbert CC in the Cactus Classic. Tip-off in Chandler is planned for 4:00 pm.
