Glendale, Ariz.- The Firestorm were shut down by #11 Concordia (NE) in a 86-61 loss at ACU Events Center. Their 61-point performance (36.4 FGP) was the second-lowest offensive output in the 2023-24 season, indicative of the Bulldog's suffocating defense. Shaylynn De Yager led ACU with 13 points off the bench and reigning GSAC Player of the Week Halle Payne posted 12 points. Notably, Emily Till earned the first double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) of her career as a Firestorm.  

GAME INFO

Score: Arizona Christian 61 | #11 Concordia (NE) 86
Records: ACU 9-3 (0-0 GSAC) | Concordia (NE) 9-2 (5-2 GPAC)
Location: ACU Events Center - Glendale, AZ

STAT TRACKER

Shaylynn De Yager  - 13 pts, 5 rebs
Halle Payne - 12 pts, 6 rebs, 3 ast
Emily Till - 10 pts, 10 rebs, 1 blk
Halley Barram - 9 pts, 3 rebs
Kayla Clark - 6 pts, 5 rebs, 4 ast

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

The Concordia (NE) Bulldogs came out firing with a three-pointer from Taysha Ruston (14 total points) on their opening possession. However, the Firestorm remained patient and Halle Payne knocked down two three-pointers to tie the score at 9-9. Even with an additional three-pointer from Kayla Clark, ACU could not keep pace with Concordia (NE), who closed the first quarter on a 7-2 run. 

Trailing 21-14 at the second stanza's onset, the Firestorm faltered to two early turnovers and empowered an 8-0 scoring run by the visiting Bulldogs. Emily Till quelled the noise with a jumper but ACU ended up losing ground as the two teams traded baskets until halftime. Shaylynn De Yager was responsible for four (2-for-2) of the nine total points in the Firestorm's second quarter in which they shot a dismal 26.7% from the field.

While still being pressured both at halfcourt and full court, ACU strung together a much improved third quarter on the offensive end (46.2% shooting). Despite the offensive support, the Firestorm coughed up the ball a game-high eight times. Till and Payne combined for nine points in a third quarter where the Firestorm fell behind another five points (20-15, CUNE).

With the outcome of the game largely out of reach (62-38, CUNE), ACU battled to the last whistle and equaled the Bulldogs from the field (9-of-21). Concordia (NE), much like the previous three quarters, had seven different players score with non-starters Bree Bunting and Raelyn Kelty each putting up five points.  Halley Barram made her first appearance in the quarter, and drained 3-of-5 behind the three-point arc to lead the Firestorm in fourth-quarter scoring.

THOUGHTS FROM COACH RUSTY ROGERS

"We were completely overwhelmed by Concordia's pressure defense and it really took its toll on us physically and mentally," Coach Rogers said. "Although they played extremely well, I felt like we had opportunities that we didn't take advantage of throughout the first three quarters– missing shots that we are more than capable of converting and committing major defensive errors. We need to take this failure and refocus and get back to a championship-caliber mindset and effort level."

NEXT UP FOR THE FIRESTORM

The Firestorm will close out their fourth game since last Thursday with Olivet Nazarene (3-7) coming to Glendale on December 21st. Tipoff will come at 1:00 PM from ACU Events Center. Follow the action with live stats at https://acufirestorm.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary and watch at https://www.gsacsportsnetwork.com/azchristian. 

   
Roll Storm!