By Zach DeMarcus
January 13, 2018
 
(PHOENIX) Westmont Men's Basketball (14-3, 4-0 GSAC) defeated #23 Arizona Christian (12-5, 0-3) by a score of 83-72 in today's Golden State Athletic Conference basketball game. The Warriors out rebounded the Firestorm 47-31 and had four players score in the double-digits.
 
David Gunn, with his 17 points, led the Warriors in scoring for the second game in a row. Westmont head coach John Moore said, "David Gunn was able to lead our team in scoring even though he didn't have a point at halftime. It's hard to clear your mind of a poor first half. He's been good two second halves in a row now. I guess he just likes being a clutch performer."
 
Westmont came out of the gate hot going up 15-2 to start the game – they would lead by as much as 15 in the half. The Warriors would see that lead dwindle as Arizona Christian would go on a run of their own towards the end of the half.
 
The Firestorm started their run with just over 13 minutes left in the first half the score was 21-6 in favor of the Warriors. Over the next seven and a half minutes the Firestorm would take the lead as they scored 18 points to Westmont's two – bringing the score to 23-24. The two teams would go into halftime tied 34-34.
 
The Warriors again started the second half strong. From 18:19 to 12:34 remaining in the second half the Warriors went on an 18-4 run and took a 14 point lead with the score at 54-40. Olisa Nwachie started the run with two made free throws, Sean Harman followed with a 3-pointer and a layup, Gunn with a 3-pointer and two made jump shots, and Nwachie finished the run with a dunk.
 
The Firestorm tried the rest of the game to go on a run similar to the one they had late in the first half, but Westmont's defense was able to keep them from getting too close. A made layup by Arizona Christian's Johannes Menzel with 8:35 remaining in the game brought the Firestorm within five points of the Warriors, but that's as close as they would come.
 
"Our defense has vastly improved and Olisa Nwachie has a lot to do with that. He doesn't get credit for as many blocked shots as he should. Olisa must have altered 10 shots today. He really has become a presence on the floor. Zac Jervis, defensively, did some outstanding things," recalled Moore.
 
Westmont executed from the free throw line throughout the game. They were 8 for 9 in the first half and 16 for 18 in the second half. Moore said, "Anytime you have a lead they're going to come after you a little bit. We were strong with the ball which is what you hope for. The right guys got to the free throw line. Olisa was 5-6 – he's been shooting free throws great. When he got in the game, Gyse Hulsebosch just locked it up. He was 6-6 from the line in his one minute of play."
 
Noah Blanton, Gunn, Nwachie, and Kyle Scalmanini each grabbed seven rebounds. Moore said, "Those four guys with seven rebounds almost out rebounded Arizona Christian's whole team." The Firestorm finished with 31 rebounds.
 
The Warriors would hold on to the lead and snag another big GSAC victory with the final score 83-72.
 
With Montecito dealing with the aftermath of the floods Moore added, "I think with everything going on back home it's nice to be able to, at least for 40 minutes, focus on the game. To go on the road with the type of tragedy that is behind us, it was nice to have the opportunity to play this great game of basketball."
 
Westmont returns to the court next Saturday when they travel to play #5 The Master's. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.