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Hope International University

MBB vs ACU
63
Winner Hope International HIU 16-2, 4-0 GSAC
55
Arizona Christian ACU 14-4, 2-2 GSAC
Winner
Hope International HIU
16-2, 4-0 GSAC
63
Final
55
Arizona Christian ACU
14-4, 2-2 GSAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Hope International HIU 33 30 63
Arizona Christian ACU 25 30 55

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Robert Nilsen

Royals Shock Sixth Ranked Firestorm in Glendale

Glendale, AZ - The No. 20 Hope International University men's basketball team (16-2, 4-0 GSAC) extended their winning streak to 11 games as they stunned the No. 6 Arizona Christian University Firestorm 63-55 to stay unbeaten in GSAC play on Thursday evening on the road in Glendale, AZ.

It was a grind it out defensive game as the Royals took their first lead of the game at 7-4 off a big three from CJ Fisher with 15:58 remaining. The Firestorm kept it close as they made it 11-10 midway through the half. Sebastian Castro then hit a jumper to stretch the Royals lead to 15-10 but the Firestorm would rally to tie it 17-17 with 5:19 to go. The Royals then seized control with a 13-0 run led by four points from Nick Hopkins and finished off by a huge three from Jonah Felix to put the Royals up 30-17 with 2:26 to go. The No. 6 Firestorm weren't going to be beaten easily as they answered on an 8-0 run to make it 30-25 with :40 seconds to go. The Royals then had the final say as Miles Ceballos nailed a three to put the Royals up 33-25 at halftime. 

Grant Sii quickly put the Royals up 35-25 to start the half but the Firestorm stayed in the game as they made it 39-32 with 15:38 to go. The Royals would then stretch their lead back out to 44-32 off a big triple from Castro with 14:00 left. The Firestorm rallied to make it 48-42 with 9:31 to go but the Royals answered as Hopkins knocked down a bucket to increase the Royals lead to 54-44 with 6:45 remaining. The Firestorm kept coming as they made it 54-48 with 5:09 left. The Royals quickly regrouped after a timeout as Felix drained a huge three to put the Royals back up 59-49. The Firestorm weren't done as they turned up the pressure to get within 59-55 with 1:04 to go. The Royals didn't fold as Hopkins and Felix knocked down crucial free throws to seal a historic 63-5 5upset win. Hopkins led the Royals with 15 points as they beat the Firestorm for only the second time since 2009 in Glendale.

The Royals continue GSAC action in Arizona as they travel to Surprise to take on OUAZ on Saturday, January 18 at 1:00 PM.
 
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