PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Lady Argos led for much of their game against Arizona Christian University but their inability to closeout each half cost them dearly, losing 82-73 despite holding a four-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. 

UGF took an early 13-4 lead off of strong rebounding and a balanced offense but by the time the period ended the game was died up 15-15. The second quarter followed much of the same pattern as the Lady Argos held a lead of seven at multiple points in the quarter only go into the half tied at 34 each.

Some good early second half shooting from junior guard Morgan Grier continued the trend but in an even more dramatic way. Her efforts and more rebounding propelled UGF to a 12 points lead with 14 minutes left on the game. Just as it looked like the Lady Argos might finally pull away, ACU rallied once again to whittle the lead down to four as the third quarter came to close.

The trend finally broke in the fourth but not in favor of the Argos. Instead of another scoring push to start the period, the Firestorm's run continued and never really ended. A 31-18 fourth quarter proved to be the defining stretch of the game.

Despite the loss, the Lady Argo's starting five put in a strong statistical performance. Junior guard Nneka Nnadi continued to be the team's most effective offensive threat, leading all scorers with 25 points off of 10-18 shooting. She was joined in the 20-point club but senior guard Erin Legel, whose 20 points brings her 16 shy of the UGF career scoring records.

Grier's finished with 15 points while junior center Whitney George grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked four shots. George currently ranked fifth in the NAIA in blocks per game with an average of 2.9 bpg.

The now 8-4 Lady Argos will play again in Arizona Christian's gym on Saturday, Dec. 19 only this time against Pacific Union College at 7 p.m. In the game Legel, who averages just over 13 points per game will have a shot at bringing the school's all-time scoring record with a point total of 16 or more.