Glendale, Ariz.- After sinking the game winning free throw with 4.4 seconds remaining, No. 5 Arizona Christian withstood a game winning three point attempt to edge out Westmont on Saturday afternoon.
Dennis Flowers III came up big down the stretch for the Firestorm.
Game Info
- Game score: Arizona Christian- 69, Westmont - 68
- Records: Arizona Christian - 17-4, 8-3 GSAC, Westmont- 12-8, 5-6 GSAC
- NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - 5, Westmont - not ranked
- Location: ACU Events Center, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ
ACU Stats For The Day
Inside the Box Score
- Bryce Davis scored the first points of the game
- The Warriors responded with a layup
- ACU used a 9-0 run to move ahead (Davis- a bucket and one, Hudgens- steal/fast break layup and basket, Williams- two points)
- The Firestorm kept the lead until the second half
- Hudgens (10 points) and Davis (8 boards) topped at the break
- With 11:21 left in the game, Flowers converted a pair of free throws for ACU's largest lead at 13 points
- At the 3:47 mark, Westmont hit a three for their first lead of the game at 62-61
- Both teams exchanged free throws into the final minute
- Flowers rose up and nailed a three pointer to forge a 68-68 tie with 51 seconds remaining
- Following a missed WC three, Flowers grabbed the board with under 30 seconds to play
- Driving to the hoop, Flowers was fouled and converted one of two at the line for the lead at 4.4 seconds
- A buzzer beating attempt from the left wing was just a little strong and Flowers secured the game's final rebound
Thoughts from Coach Rutter
"I am proud of our guys for staying poised and making plays at the end to finish off the game. Westmont is one of the most gifted offensive teams in the NAIA. I thought we played really hard and defended well enough to give us a chance to win despite it not being a great offensive night.
"It was a difficult game to get a rhythm in with nearly 50 combined fouls and 40 combined turnovers. It is easy to let that impact our defensive effort and we did not let that happen today."
"Every win in a tough conference like ours if very difficult. We are thankful we came out on top today but know we have a lot of improving that needs to happen."
Up Next
The Firestorm will hit the road next week and play San Diego Christian on Thursday at Grossmont College in El Cajon, CA. Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm (PST)/ 8:30 pm (AZ).
