SURPRISE, Ariz. – For the first time in program history the OUAZ men's basketball team upset a nationally ranked team as the Spirit took down No. 18 Hope International, 83-79, on Thursday night inside Faith Arena.
 
Pulling the upset seemed unrealistic in the early going as OUAZ (6-9, 2-4 GSAC) started just 4 of 13 from the field and trailed the visitors 21-8 just over nine minutes into the game. The Spirit then turned things around over the next nine minutes with a 26-10 run that had the team leading 34-31 and helped the carry a 38-37 lead into halftime.
 
Neither team led by more than four points – until the closing moments – of a second half that featured nine ties and 14 lead changes. That changed in the final 1:30 of the night as the Spirit closed with 11 of the game's final 15 points – including an 8-0 run to begin the streak – in which they limited Hope International (14-4, 3-3) to 2 of 6 shooting.
 
Brian Carey led the Spirit offense with 31 points, six assists, and five steals. His second 30-point outing of the season came of 11 of 19 shooting and by making 8 of 10 at the foul line in playing all 40 minutes. He went 6 of 8 to score 18 points in the second half.
 
As a team, OUAZ shot 43.1 percent from the floor with four makes from beyond the arc. They also converted 23 of 27 at the foul line. The Spirit took care of the ball with just 10 turnovers and they scored 23 points from 18 HIU turnovers. The team also used 17 fast break points to help offset 50 percent shooting and 19 second chance points from the Royals.
 
Shazier Lawson provided the needed support for Carey with 23 points and nine rebounds. His third 20-point performance of the year came on 8 of 15 shooting while converting all six attempts at the foul line. Elijah Simmons added 14 points.
 
Kane Daniels scored 15 points to lead five Royals in double figures.
 
OUAZ will look for a third straight win on Saturday when they welcome Life Pacific to Faith Arena. The team's final home game of the month will tipoff at 2 p.m.