Arizona Christian narrowly lost to top-ranked Freed-Hardeman 79-78 in the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship quarterfinals. After trailing by nine points with just over two minutes left, Arizona Christian made a late push but fell short. Ese Onakpoma led the way with 27 points, while Freed-Hardeman capitalized on their offensive momentum to secure the win. This defeat marks the end of the season for Arizona Christian, which finished with a 25-8 record.

By the Numbers
  • Arizona Christian held a 44-33 advantage in free throws made.
  • Ese Onakpoma scored 27 points along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
State of Play
  • Freed-Hardeman had a 33-1 overall record, maintaining their position as the top-ranked team.
  • Arizona Christian ends the season with the highest number of free throws made and attempted in the NAIA.
What's Next

The season concludes for Arizona Christian, and they will look to regroup and improve for the next season after a commendable tournament run.

Bottom Line

Despite a commendable effort to rally back, Arizona Christian's season ends in disappointment. The performance highlighted their tenacity and the potential for future success as they continue to develop their program.