Silver City, NM- In their third road game of the season, the Lady Firestorm never held the lead in a 92-65 loss to the Western New Mexico Mustangs. Lauren Gunn was a bright spot for ACU, accounting for 32 points, including 4-for-5 from three-point range and a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line. The rebounding disparity (44-22, WNMU) was a primary contributor in the final outcome. With the loss, the Firestorm's win streak ends at three and they fall to 5-2.

GAME INFO

Score: Arizona Christian 65 | Western New Mexico 92
Records: ACU 5-2 (0-0 GSAC) | Western New Mexico 4-0 (0-0 Lone Star)
Location: Drag's Court - Silver City, NM

STAT TRACKER

Lauren Gunn - 32 pts, 2 ast
Alyssa Alvarez - 11 pts, 1 rebs, 1 ast
Emily Till - 8 pts, 3 rebs, 1 ast
Halle Payne - 7 pts, 5 rebs
Kayla Hourigan - 2 pts, 2 rebs, 3 ast

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

The first quarter belonged to the WNMU Mustangs, who outscored the Firestorm 29-18 while shooting 80.0% (12-for-15). Lauren Gunn nailed a three that got them within two points of the Mustangs' lead (14-12) with 3:50 remaining, but that was the closest ACU would get. WMNU would then reel off 13 unanswered points to maintain distance.

As a whole, the second 10 minutes was much more evenly matched with the Mustangs holding a slight 16-14 edge. Scoring from Emily Till, Shaylynn De Yager, Halle Payne and Gunn trimmed an 11-point WNMU advantage to six (33-27), but a three-pointer from the Mustang's leading scorer Brooke Rodgers silenced ACU's run. It was Sydney Wright who drained WNMU's fifth three-pointer of the contest and lifted their lead to 45-32 at halftime.

The Firestorm did not manage the hot start they needed to begin the second half, as the Mustangs added two quick buckets in the paint right out of the gates. In the third quarter, WNMU would go on two scoring runs of 6-0 and close the period on an 8-0 run to effectively put the game out of reach. Gunn led ACU with seven points in the quarter, but the Firestorm only mustered four total field goals on 17 shot attempts. Total rebound disparity (44-22) was reflected, as WNMU won the battle 16-6.

Trailing by 24, the Firestorm displayed some fight in the final quarter as they outscored WNMU 20-19, finding success at the free throw line (7-for-8). ACU limited turnovers (3) but could not make up ground in the rebounding category or put enough pressure on the Mustangs' offense who for the third time shot above 50% (9-for-17). 

THOUGHTS FROM COACH RUSTY ROGERS

"We were simply overpowered today by a very good WNMU team," Coach Rogers said. "They really took us out of nearly everything we wanted to do plus shot the ball extremely well. We didn't play our best and that's what it would have taken to beat them!"

NEXT UP FOR THE FIRESTORM

The Firestorm have their second-longest break between games, as they will not return to the hardfloor until Wednesday, November 29th for a home game against Benedictine Mesa. Tipoff will come at 6:30 PM at ACU Events Center. Follow the action with live stats at https://acufirestorm.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary and watch the game at https://www.gsacsportsnetwork.com/azchristian.  

   
Roll Storm!