PHOENIX – For the third time this season the OUAZ men's basketball came up a little short in their effort upset a nationally ranked opponent. On Saturday, it was No. 24 Arizona Christian that was able to hold off the Spirit for a 90-85 win at Fultz Memorial Gymnasium.
 
Down 17 with 1:54 to play in the first half, OUAZ (4-19, 1-12 GSAC) scored the next 17 points of the game to tie the game at 45-45 with 17:13 to play in the second half. The Spirit would eventually open a 67-60 lead at the 9:23 mark of the half for their largest lead of the night.
 
Each team would go on spurts over the next eight-plus minutes trading the lead back-and-forth three times before it was tied at 84-84 with 1:01 to play on a free throw from Leandro Amador. Arizona Christian (20-5, 8-5) then got an offensive rebound for a score and forced a turnover for a fast break dunk to lead by four with under 30 seconds left.
 
The ensuing OUAZ possession saw Marcus Williams get called for a charge leading to the Firestorm converting foul shots to spoil the Spirit's upset attempt.
 
The Spirit finished the night shooting 48.4 percent from the field, including 51.5 percent during their 51-point second half. They took advantage of 14 ACU turnovers for 20 points while adding 34 points in the paint and 12 fast break points.
 
Williams led the Spirit with 22 points and three assists. He made three makes from beyond the arc and went 7 of 7 at the foul line with three rebounds and one blocked shot.
 
Amador tallied his second straight double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds off the bench after hitting on 5 of 6 from the floor. Dimetres Moore added 18 points and seven rebounds with Brian King Jr. scoring 16 points.
 
Arizona Christian shot 50.8 percent in the game with eight 3-pointers. Shane Carney led the Firestorm with 26 points.
 
OUAZ will close the season with three of the final five games at home. That run begins on Thursday when they host Life Pacific at 7:30 p.m. at Willow Canyon High School.