Santa Clarita, CA - The Arizona Christian University women's basketball team (21-10) dropped another close game to Menlo (16-11) 67-66 in the GSAC quarterfinals on Thursday afternoon at The Macarthur Center in Santa Clarita, CA.

Thoughts From Coach:

After the game, Head Coach Rusty Rogers said, "Very, very difficult loss today. Once again, our inconsistent play hurt us. We came back from 12+ point deficits in each half only to lose by one. We can't say enough about the "no quit" attitude of our team but it just wasn't enough today. Now we have to wait and see if we are lucky enough to get one of the at-large bids to the NAIA National tournament!"

Game Details:

After the teams exchanged leads early in the first the Oaks would pull away to take a 16-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Oaks continued their momentum in the second as they started on an 8-0 run to take a 24-12 lead. The Firestorm didn't give up as they battled back with Alyssa Alvarez finally sinking a basket after a slow start to lead the Firestorm on a 15-4 run as they pulled within one at 28-27 at halftime. After the Firestorm opened the quarter to retake the lead the game went back and forth with the teams exchanging the lead until the Oaks closed the quarter on a 14-4 run to take a 49-40 advantage at the end of the third quarter. The Oaks once again continued their momentum in the fourth as they extended their lead to 53-40. The Firestorm didn't quit and went on a 17-4 run led by nine points from Alvarez to tie the game 57-57 with 3:33 left. It was game on from there as the two sides exchanged the lead five times before Alvarez put the Firestorm on top with just twelve seconds left. It was to much time though as the Oaks went down the court and found the game winner with four seconds left. The Firestorm did have one last chance but were unable to convert as they were eliminated from the GSAC tournament.

Inside the Box Score:

Alyssa Alvarez: 25 points

Kaycee Brown: 12 rebounds, eight points

Next Game:

The Firestorm will have to wait and see if they are selected as one of the at large teams for the NAIA Championships which will feature an expanded bracket of 64 teams and begins March 11-12 at select campus sites. The selection show can be watched here on Thursday, March 3 at 5:00 PM Arizona time.