Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Arizona Christian University

OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE OF ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
WBB 23-24 Opening Round Postseason

Women's Basketball Payne Moses

Postseason Primer: ACU, Jessup Round Three

Atherton, Calif. - A 7-7 GSAC record dealt Arizona Christian the fifth seed in the 2023-24 GSAC Women's Basketball Tournament, marking their sixth appearance since joining the conference for the 2012-13 season. The Firestorm match up with the fourth-seed Jessup University Warriors, in what will be the third meeting between the teams this season. ACU seeks to avenge two regular-season losses to Jessup in this opening round playoff game hosted at Menlo College.

The Firestorm enter this year's tournament with a 1-5 all-time record in the conference playoffs. Their lone victory was a 79-74 win over Menlo on February 28, 2019. It will be the first time in program history that ACU faces Jessup in the postseason.

At the end of the regular season, Arizona Christian was the highest-scoring team in the GSAC (74.8 PPG), ranked fourth in opposing field goal percentage (38.2) and finished fourth in three-point percentage (32.4). Alyssa Alvarez claimed second place in GSAC scoring (19.1 PPG), Emily Till outlasted The Master's Madeline Cook for second in rebounding (10.8 RPG), Lauren Gunn held her sixth position in assists (3.0 APG) and Halle Payne maintained fifth place in field goal percentage (47.2). 

Game Details

Arizona Christian vs. Jessup - Thursday, February 29 at 6:00 PM

Haynes-Prim Pavilion - Atherton, CA

*All Times Listed Are Arizona Time

Live Coverage

Video - https://gsacsportsnetwork.com/menlo/?B=997221 
Live Stats - https://jessupathletics.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary 

Arizona Christian

Arizona Christian held a lead over #9 Vanguard well into the third quarter, but inefficient free-throw trips and turnovers in the fourth enabled the visiting Lions to pull away 78-62 on Senior Day. The Firestorm demonstrated the ability to break the Lions' full-court press and force outside shots, but did not convert possessions late to fall in their regular-season finale. Before the game got underway, four seniors (Alyssa Alvarez, Madison Kekic, Raegen Henry, Tarissa Moore) were honored for their contributions to the program.

Senior Alyssa Alvarez and sophomore Lauren Gunn paced ACU with 16 points apiece, combining for 13 rebounds and eight assists on the day. Graciela Roybal was the burst of energy and speed the Firestorm needed to hang with the conference-leading Lions, totaling 14 points and shooting 4-of-7 from three-point range.

Halle Payne was active across the stats board, collecting six points, two rebounds and four assists (tied a season-high in assists). Top-rebounder Emily Till corralled nine in the contest, but was limited to a season-low two points (1-of-7 from the floor). 

ACU Key Players

Alyssa Alvarez - 19.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.4 APG
Lauren Gunn - 13.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.0 APG 
Halle Payne - 11.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 APG
Graciela Roybal - 10.7 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.2 APG
Emily Till - 9.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 1.7 APG
Kayla Clark - 4.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.7 APG

Series Notes

With Jessup sweeping the season series, the Firestorm are now 10-12 in their all-time series against the Warriors. ACU was not at full strength in either game this regular season, and paid dearly on the glass (outrebounded by 24 between the two games). The most recent meeting in Glendale saw ACU dig themselves an 18-point hole (25-7) in the first quarter, and ultimately lose 89-70. Alyssa Alvarez made history in Rocklin by establishing the program's single-game scoring record (46 points) despite the Firestorm falling 88-83 in overtime. Thursday marks the first time the two programs meet in the GSAC Women's Basketball Tournament.

Coach Rusty Rogers' Thoughts

"Looking forward to seeing how we respond in our third attempt at defeating Jessup," Coach Rogers said. "It's been a real tough matchup for us this season but, for the first time, we will have our full roster available. Big game for our national tournament hopes!"

Jessup

The Jessup University Warriors (22-6, 9-5 GSAC) split their final week of GSAC play with a 59-45 loss to The Master's and 81-46 win over Life Pacific. Jessup was awarded the fourth-seed in the tournament due to The Master's winning a head-to-head (2-0) tie breaker. Andrea Jovicevic led the Warriors against Life Pacific with 24 points in her 26 minutes off the bench, and they turned 12 offensive boards into 13 second-chance points. At the regular season's conclusion, Jessup was fourth in GSAC scoring (73.7 PPG), third in total defense (61.9 PAPG) and first in three-point percentage (36.4). Jovicevic ended the regular season as leading scorer (15.4 PPG, 6th in GSAC), Jovicevic and Makaila Napoleon co-led the rebounding category (6.0 RPG, T-10 in GSAC) and Maila Lepolo was atop the assist ladder (2.5 APG, T-11 in GSAC).


Roll Storm!
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Alyssa Alvarez

#20 Alyssa Alvarez

G
5' 11"
Senior
Kayla Clark

#23 Kayla Clark

G
5' 4"
Junior
Lauren Gunn

#10 Lauren Gunn

G
5' 7"
Sophomore
Raegen Henry

#5 Raegen Henry

G
5' 6"
Senior
Madison Kekic

#1 Madison Kekic

G
5' 7"
Senior
Tarissa Moore

#11 Tarissa Moore

P
5' 10"
Senior
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

Players Mentioned

Alyssa Alvarez

#20 Alyssa Alvarez

5' 11"
Senior
G
Kayla Clark

#23 Kayla Clark

5' 4"
Junior
G
Lauren Gunn

#10 Lauren Gunn

5' 7"
Sophomore
G
Raegen Henry

#5 Raegen Henry

5' 6"
Senior
G
Madison Kekic

#1 Madison Kekic

5' 7"
Senior
G
Tarissa Moore

#11 Tarissa Moore

5' 10"
Senior
P
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