Fullerton, Calif.- A career high 29 points from Paul Hayden and a big 19 points from Mikah Blackwell allowed No.4 Arizona Christian to beat Hope International on Saturday afternoon. The Firestorm won the game with a brilliant effort at the free throw line.
Game Info
- Game score: Arizona Christian- 89, Hope International- 82
- Records: Arizona Christian - 19-4, 10-3 GSAC, Hope International- 15-7, 8-5 GSAC
- NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - 4, Hope International - RV
- Location: Darling Pavilion, Hope International University, Fullerton, CA
ACU Stats For The Day
- Paul Hayden- 29 points
- Mikah Blackwell- 16 points, 7 boards
- Trent Hudgens- 8 points
- Dennis Flowers III- 8 points, 4 steals
Inside the Box Score
- Up until 8:30 minutes remained in the first half, the teams exchanged leads and ties in abundance
- HIU held their largest lead of six points at that moment
- But ACU came back to tie the game again, take the lead, and see another tie
- With 5:17 left in the half, Hayden drained a three for a 35-32 edge
- The Firestorm did not surrender the top score
- Hayden had 15 first half points, Blackwell added 13 points
- After ACU built as large as a 13 point advantage, HIU came back with three as late as 4:37 left
- In that final span, Arizona Christian hit 12 of their 13 free throw attempts
- For the game, the Firestorm converted 31 of 32 free throw attempts
- The Firestorm will return to the Darling Pavilion for the GSAC Men's Basketball tournament the end of February
Up Next
Next week, the Firestorm will play their final two home games of the season when they host Vanguard and Life Pacific. Tip-off versus the Lions on Thursday will come at 7:30 pm.