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Arizona Christian University

OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE OF ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
1/4 & 1/6 WBB Preview

Women's Basketball Payne Moses

Firestorm Commence Conference Climb

Glendale, Ariz.- The advent of 2024 brings with it the start of GSAC play for the Firestorm. A 14-game conference schedule begins on the road, as Menlo College and  RV Jessup University await this Thursday and Saturday. 

Through the non-conference slate, ACU averages the second-most points per game (76.6) and has the third-best free throw percentage in the GSAC (74.2). Alyssa Alvarez improves to third in GSAC scoring (17.3 PPG), Halle Payne sits at fifth in field goal percentage (53.4) and Emily Till ranks third in rebounding (10.2 RPG).

Game Details

Arizona Christian at Menlo College - Thursday, January 4 at 6:30 PM
Arizona Christian at RV Jessup University - Saturday, January 6 at 12:00 PM

Haynes-Primm Pavilion - Atherton, CA
Warrior Arena - Rocklin, CA

*All Times Listed Are Arizona Time

Live Coverage

Video - https://www.gsacsportsnetwork.com/azchristian 
Live Stats - http://naiastats.prestosports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/boxscores/20240104_0yv9.xml, https://jessupathletics.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary 

Arizona Christian

The Lady Firestorm said their goodbyes to 2023 and a lack-luster first quarter by outscoring the Park Gilbert Buccaneers by 20 points in the final 30 minutes to seal a 77-66 win. Alyssa Alvarez posted a season-high 26 points and Emily Till dazzled with her third straight double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds) going a perfect 5-for-5 from the field and conceding only one turnover. ACU earned their 10th win of the season and has now defeated three opponents twice (Park Gilbert, Embry-Riddle (AZ) and Justice College).

ACU Key Players

Alyssa Alvarez - 17.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.9 APG
Halle Payne - 13.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.6 APG
Emily Till - 8.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.9 APG
Cynthia Lopez - 4.8 PPG, 0.8 RPG, 0.5 APG
Kayla Clark - 3.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.2 APG

Series Notes

In 18 all-time meetings dating back to the 2008-09 season, ACU is 6-12 when competing against the Menlo College Oaks. Though a majority of contests were neck-and-neck, Menlo has won eight of the last 10, including the previous five games. The most recent meeting was in the first round of the GSAC Tournament (83-78), Menlo surviving a late charge from the Firestorm in the fourth quarter. Alyssa Alvarez led ACU with 25 points and was supported by 16-point efforts from Graciela Roybal and Halle Payne.

The Firestorm are 10-10 in their all-time series with the Jessup University Warriors that dates back to two contests in the 2003-04 season. ACU won four of the previous five meetings in response to four consecutive victories by Jessup. Both teams have historically played each other very closely, as 14 games have been decided by 10 points or fewer. The most recent meeting was a road win for the Firestorm (57-51), an uphill battle offensively for each team. Alvarez led the way with 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Coach Rusty Rogers' Thoughts

"This is when the games really matter and, unfortunately, we are nowhere near 100% physically," Coach Rogers said. "But just like all season long, our girls will battle and compete to the best of our ability. We are looking forward to seeing who steps up next!"

Menlo College

The Menlo College Oaks (6-4) roll into GSAC play with back-to-back wins coming in the Cactus Classic on December 21-22 (87-58 over Montana State Northern and 72-69 over Montana Western). Through 10 games, Menlo is third in field goal percentage (44.3) and second in free throw percentage (75.9) in the GSAC. Kiara Browns leads the Oaks in scoring (15.9 PPG) and rebounding (8.8 RPG), and Shay Boley heads the assist category (4.4 APG). Last season, Menlo finished with a 13-5 conference record and used a runner-up in the GSAC Tournament to qualify for the 2022-23 NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship Opening Round.

Jessup University

The Jessup University Warriors (13-1) enter conference play with a nine-game winning streak, including a three-game sweep in the Cactus Classic staged December 20-22 at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. They boast a 7-0 record at Warrior Arena, featuring a 55-52 victory over #21 Southern Oregon on December 9th. Through 14 games, the Warriors are first in three-point percentage (38.6) and second in field goal percentage (44.6) in the GSAC. Andrea Jovicevic leads Jessup in scoring (15.7 PPG, 60.4 FGP) and rebounding (5.8 RPG), and Maila Lepolo sits atop the assist ladder (2.6 APG). Last season, Jessup finished with a 9-9 GSAC record and seventh in the conference standings.


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