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Arizona Christian University

OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE OF ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
23-24 WBB Preview 12-19 and 12-21

Women's Basketball Payne Moses

Firestorm Readies For Midwest Challengers

Glendale, Ariz.- The Lady Firestorm are ripe with confidence following their fourth straight win, a surgical 77-70 triumph over Goshen College (IN) this past Saturday. This week affords ACU their third crack at a top-25 program in the NAIA, as they face #11 Concordia (NE) on Tuesday. Olivet Nazarene enters the fray at ACU Events Center on Thursday as the Firestorm's final opponent before Christmas Day. 

If ACU can manage a win over Concordia (NE), it would be the second season under Coach Rusty Rogers that the Firestorm would have multiple wins against top-25 opponents (ACU defeated #5 Carroll College 77-74 on November 11).

Game Details

Arizona Christian vs #11 Concordia (NE) - Tuesday, December 19 at 1:00 PM
Arizona Christian vs Olivet Nazarene - Thursday, December 21 at 1:00 PM

ACU Events Center - Glendale, AZ

*All Times Listed Are Arizona Time

Tickets - https://acufirestorm.com/sports/2022/11/29/973_133142257298652889.aspx 

Prices- General Admission ($10), Alumni/Military/Senior ($5), ACU Students (Free), 12 and under (Free)

Live Coverage

Video - https://www.gsacsportsnetwork.com/azchristian 
Live Stats - https://acufirestorm.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary 

Arizona Christian

Despite early foul trouble, the Lady Firestorm manufactured a 77-70 win over the Goshen College Maple Leafs to begin a crucial three-game homestand. Halle Payne led the offensive haul for ACU with 23 points and added nine rebounds, four being offensive boards. Cynthia Lopez was a  game-changer in her 19 minutes off the bench, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 and producing 14 total points. The pillar for the Firestorm was their current assist leader, Kayla Clark, who dished out 10 assists and committed only one turnover in 37 minutes.

In 11 games, ACU has posted a 35.1 three-point percentage (25th in the NAIA), 16.4 assists per game and 9.2 steals per game. They enter this week with a four-game win streak and a 6-1 home record.

ACU Key Players

Alyssa Alvarez - 17.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.55 APG
Halle Payne - 14.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.3 APG
Emily Till - 6.9 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.0 APG
Kayla Clark - 3.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.5 APG

Series Notes

In their lone meeting December 27, 2018, the Firestorm lost 105-63 to the Bulldogs at Fultz Memorial Gymnasium. Concordia (NE) was ranked #3 in the NAIA at the time and never trailed in the game. Makayla Enders led ACU with 24 points including 3 three-pointers.

The Firestorm are 2-0 all-time when facing the Olivet Nazarene Tigers, the two last meeting in the 2021-22 season. Both games were held in Glendale and were offensive clinics. ACU won the first match-up 113-108 in 2017 before taking the next 93-88. In the most recent contest, the Firestorm outscored the Tigers 24-8 in the final quarter to complete an epic comeback. Baylee Slaughter, Alyssa Alvarez and Graciela Roybal all pitched in 10 second half points.

Coach Rusty Rogers' Thoughts

"Very challenging week ahead of us," Coach Rogers said. "Concordia Nebraska is one of the premier NAIA programs in the country and this team is every bit as good as some of their best squads. Olivet Nazarene plays very fast and their system of basketball presents its own unique challenges. We will need big contributions from our non-starters to keep pace with these teams."

Concordia University (NE)

The Concordia University Nebraska Bulldogs (7-2) turned up ranked 11th in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll (December 13). They opened their 2023-24 season with six consecutive victories, featuring a 75-62 win over #6 Marian (IN) at home. In seven early GPAC contests, the Bulldogs hold a 5-2 record, falling against University of Jamestown (71-61) and #8 Briar Cliff (74-66) in two of their last three games. Concordia (NE) is ranked third in steals (14.1 SPG) and ninth in three-pointers made (9.7 per game) in the NAIA. Taysha Ruston leads the team in points (17.0 PPG) and assists (3.1 APG) with Abby Krieser close behind at 12.1 PPG and 1.8 APG. 

Olivet Nazarene

The Olivet Nazarene University Tigers (3-7) have been riding a roller coaster of a season, scattering three dominant wins between a mixed bag of losses. In their most recent game, the Tigers lost a tight one (80-75) to Governors State, where three players racked up double-digit points (Olivia Dirkse (16), Khendel Rolison (12), Jamie Finn (11)). Rolison leads ONU in scoring (14.1 PPG) and assists (3.2 APG) through 10 games. Katie Draper is the rebound leader, with 5.8 RPG. They will play Park-Gilbert (5-4) on Tuesday prior to taking their game to Glendale.


Roll Storm!
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Players Mentioned

Alyssa Alvarez

#20 Alyssa Alvarez

G
5' 11"
Senior
Kayla Clark

#23 Kayla Clark

G
5' 4"
Junior
Halle Payne

#21 Halle Payne

P
5' 9"
Junior
Graciela Roybal

#3 Graciela Roybal

G
5' 4"
Junior
Emily Till

#14 Emily Till

P
6' 0"
Sophomore
Cynthia Lopez

#0 Cynthia Lopez

W
5' 8"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Alyssa Alvarez

#20 Alyssa Alvarez

5' 11"
Senior
G
Kayla Clark

#23 Kayla Clark

5' 4"
Junior
G
Halle Payne

#21 Halle Payne

5' 9"
Junior
P
Graciela Roybal

#3 Graciela Roybal

5' 4"
Junior
G
Emily Till

#14 Emily Till

6' 0"
Sophomore
P
Cynthia Lopez

#0 Cynthia Lopez

5' 8"
Freshman
W