Box Score Santa Barbara, Calif.- On Saturday, No. 8 Arizona Christian held a big first half lead, Westmont owned a large second half edge, and the Firestorm completed a late comeback to beat the Warriors. Senior Angelo Johnson scored 26 points including the game winner with 1.4 seconds remaining.
- Game score: Arizona Christian - 82, Westmont - 80
- Records: Arizona Christian - 20-3, 8-3 GSAC, Westmont - 12-8, 3-8 GSAC
- NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - 8, Westmont - not ranked
- Location: Murchison Gym, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA
- Westmont scored the first four points
- Arizona Christian answered with a 20-2 run for a 14 point edge (largest lead of game for either team)
- Davis had seven points and Johnson added two three pointers in run
- But in a nine minute span, WC fought back to retake the lead that carried into the half
- Both teams converted 13 baskets in the first 20 minutes
- The Warriors held a 12 point lead twice in the second half and were up 11 with under 12 minutes to play
- ACU started the comeback but did not regain the lead until 47 seconds remained after Johnson nailed three free throws
- Westmont tied the game at 80 with 20 seconds remaining
- Johnson laid home the contested game winner on a drive through the left side of the paint
- ACU overcame 21 made Westmont second half free throws by holding them to just eight made baskets and 27.6% shooting
- Both games between ACU and WC this season resulted in 82-80 wins with the road team victorious
- The last time ACU played in Murchison Gym (March 2020), they used a last second shot to win a GSAC Championship
Thoughts from Coach Rutter
"Great win today! I am just really impressed with the resolve of this group. This caps off four brutal road games in a row (at Menlo, William Jessup, The Master's, Westmont). To win three of these four is big time."
"We got off to a good start, I thought we gambled a little after that and it led to some foul trouble. Westmont has some very talented offensive threats, and we played a long stretch without some of our best defenders. We were a little impatient as well and probably settled for too many threes. After we only got to the foul line three times in the first half, I wanted us to be a lot more aggressive in the second half. We kept fighting and hung around and AJ did what he does at the end. Really proud of our guys."
Up Next
After the tough road stretch, ACU will return home to host San Diego Christian on Thursday. Game time in the ACU Events Center is set for 7:30 pm.
