Lewiston, Idaho- Following a second half comeback on Friday, NAIA number three ranked Arizona Christian pulled off an overtime win without three of their starters for any of the extra time.


Game Info

• Game score:  Arizona Christian- 104, Eastern Oregon- 98 (OT)
• Records: Arizona Christian- 3-0, Eastern Oregon - 0-3
• NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian- 3, Eastern Oregon- RV
• Location: P1FCU Activity Center, Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID

ACU Stats For The Day

• Trent Hudgens- 25 points
• Anthony Howell- 18 points, 8 rebounds, 9-9 shooting
• Dennis Flowers III- 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
• Paul Hayden- 13 points
• Mikah Blackwell- 12 points

Inside the Box Score

• The teams exchanged leads and ties for the first nine minutes
• EOU moved ahead at 22-21
• The Mountaineers remained ahead but were up just two with five minutes left in the half 
• But EOU used an 11-0 run to build a 13 point edge with 1:49 left
• ACU scored eight of the last 11 points capped by a tip-in from Tucker Molina at the first half buzzer
• Hayden was good for ten first half points
• Half number two was a back and forth high scoring barrage
• EOU was up 84-78 with 3:05 to play and then up five again with 22 seconds remaining
• But ACU connected on back-to-back threes by Hudgens and James Berry III to forge a tie
• The Firestorm survived a last second shot attempt to force OT
• Blackwell scored the first four points of the extra session and ACU held the lead from there

Thoughts from Coach Rutter
"Gutsy win tonight.  Our guys kept fighting and found a way to get it done.  We did not come out and defend like we needed to and let them get in a rhythm and they took advantage and shot the ball very well. We had a mini run at the end of the half and I thought that was important.  I thought we played really hard to start the second half but we were maybe a little too excited and gambled and fouled a little too much.  We settled down and got the stops we needed and James hit a huge shot to allow us to keep playing."

Up Next
Arizona Christian will play host Lewis-Clark State on Saturday.  Tip-off will come at 6:00 pm (AZ)/ 5:00 pm (PST).