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OUAZ Athletics

Jayce Catchings - December 9, 2021
Richard Martinez
76
Winner Arizona Christian ACU 11-2, 3-2 GSAC
72
OUAZ OUAZ 7-4, 2-3 GSAC
Winner
Arizona Christian ACU
11-2, 3-2 GSAC
76
Final
72
OUAZ OUAZ
7-4, 2-3 GSAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Arizona Christian ACU 35 41 76
OUAZ OUAZ 33 39 72

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Scoring Drought Enough to Stop Spirit from Home Upset

SURPRISE, Ariz. – A nine-minute stretch spanning the two halves was enough to help No. 6 Arizona Christian build a large enough lead to hold off a run from OUAZ and earn a 76-72 win at Faith Arena on Thursday night.

OUAZ (7-4, 2-3 GSAC) led for most of the first half, including a seven-point advantage six minutes into the contest. The Spirit held a 33-31 lead 96 seconds before intermission when Arizona Christian (11-2, 3-2) went on a 19-5 run over the next nine minutes to build a 12-point advantage they never gave back.

The Spirit only scored at the foul line during the decisive scoring run as they missed 12 straight shots. OUAZ continued to push and got back within a single possession three times. The final time came with 8.2 seconds left on a Marcus William three, but Dominic Gonzalez converted a pair of free throws for ACU to seal the game.

That shooting drought dropped the Spirit to 42.1 percent shooting in the game. They made 10 of 27 from deep, but the NAIA's No. 3 foul shooting team was only 14 of 23 on Thursday. ACU countered with 54.0 percent – 60.9 percent in the second half – and they outscored the Spirit in the paint, 34-22.

Jayce Catchings scored 15 points off the bench to lead five Spirit players in double figures. He made five of his six shots, including a pair of triples, with two rebounds.

OUAZ tallied 11 assists and tied a program record with only six turnovers. They also converted the 10 ACU turnovers into 21 points to offset the Firestorm holding a 34-32 edge on the boards.

Josiah De'laCerda and Kolten Hitt added 14 points apiece for OUAZ. Devin Collins scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds. Kam Malbrough tallied 10 points and four assists.

ACU also had five players score in double figures, with the 13 from Bryce Davis leading the way.

The Spirit will be back in action on Saturday when they play an exhibition game at Grand Canyon at 6 p.m.
 
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