FULLERTON – Sixth-ranked Hope International struggled offensively down the stretch in a 67-58 men's basketball defeat to No. 14 Arizona Christian on Thursday at Darling Pavilion.

With HIU trailing 43-40 at the 12-minute mark of the second half, the Royals managed just three field goal makes over the next 10 minutes, allowing the Firestorm to open up a double-digit lead.

Amaechi Chukwu had seven of his team-high 20 points during that 10-minute span, and his free throw with 1:42 remaining gave the Firestorm a 64-54 lead.

Possessions were at a premium in the low-scoring affair. The Royals took a season-low 44 field goal attempts, making 18 to finish at 40.9 percent for the game. The Firestorm shot 55.6 (15 of 27) percent in the second half, ending up at 46.0 (23 of 50) percent overall.

ACU outrebounded HIU 36-22, including 13-6 on the offensive boards, and held a 15-8 advantage in second chance points.

Nick Hopkins led HIU with 22 points – his third straight 20-point game and fifth in the last seven – shooting 6 of 9 overall and 10 of 14 at the free throw line.

Addy G'Bye was the only other Royal to reach double figures as he scored 13 points. He made three of the team's four three-pointers.

ACU got 17 points from Ese Onakpoma and 10 from Shaud Bradley.

Both teams slogged through the early part of the first half. ACU did not have a field goal until the 14:52 mark, but HIU led just 4-3 after starting the game 2 of 7 from the field.

Darvelle Wyatt and G'Bye knocked down back-to-back threes to hand the Royals a 13-6 lead.

HIU remained in front at 22-17 when ACU scored six straight to take its first lead at 23-22. Onakpoma tied the score at 27-27 heading into halftime.

HIU plays its final regular season home game on Saturday against Embry-Riddle at 2:00 p.m. Hopkins, CJ Fisher, Allen Wright and Micah Myricks will be honored in a pregame Senior Day ceremony.