SURPRISE, Ariz. – In a game that was nearly a carbon copy of the meeting earlier this season in California, the OUAZ men's basketball team surrendered a 19-point lead in the second half before surviving with a 67-66 win over San Diego Christian on Thursday night at Faith Arena.
 
In the meeting last month, OUAZ (8-13, 4-8 GSAC) gave up a 15-point second half lead before prevailing in overtime. With this win, the Spirit complete a season sweep of a conference opponent for the first time in program history.
 
Things seemed in cruise control when Brian Carey got a tip-in basket with 10:39 to play to put the Spirit in front 60-41. San Diego Christian (6-12, 2-9) then scored the game's next 15 points to spark a 25-5 run that gave them a 66-65 lead with 1:21 remaining.
 
Shazier Lawson delivered on the ensuing OUAZ possession with a basket at the rim to put the Spirit back in front. The Spirit then battled through a defensive possession that featured a pair of misses and three offensive rebounds from the Hawks to get the win.
 
Lawson ended the night with a game-high 22 points and 13 rebounds – all at the defensive end – for his sixth double-double of the season. Lawson made 9 of 18 shots and added a pair of assists.
 
OUAZ shot 47.4 percent in the game after making 60 percent in the first half. They scored 50 points in the paint with 22 fast break points. The Spirit overcame 1 of 13 shooting from beyond the arc and totaled 13 assists and 15 turnovers.
 
Dimetres Moore added 18 points and six rebounds with Carey going for 13 points and six assists. Elijah Simmons finished with six steals.
 
San Diego Christian shot 42.4 percent with 19 turnovers. Teyden Gause led the Hawks with 19 points.
 
With the win, OUAZ moves within one-half game of Vanguard for the final spot in the GSAC Tournament. The Spirit will host the Lions on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Faith Arena.