(Editor's note: Carroll College media release)
CHANDLER, Ariz. -- In a game that felt more like a national tournament matchup than a non-conference clash, the No. 23-ranked Fighting Saints showed their pose and defeated a talented No. 21-ranked Arizona Christian team on Tuesday, 94-82.
The Fighting Saints (8-3) had three players score 22 or more points, led by Dane Warp's 24 points and nine assists.
Jovan Sljivancanin added 22 points, 12 rebounds and six assists while Dennis Flowers III scored 22 points and added five rebounds.
The Saints once again unleashed their offense, spreading the court and attacking the rim and then kicking the ball out to wide open shooters.
Arizona Christian (8-4) came out swinging, building a seven-point lead comfortably. Flowers kept the Saints afloat, nailing his first four three-pointers. His final deep ball gave the Saints the lead, though the rest of the half would be a back and forth affair between two Top 25 teams.
Warp connected on a three-ball to give the Saints a two-point lead heading into halftime, 41-39.
The Saints added on to their lead in the second half and then kept the Firestorm at bay.
The Firestorm made their runs, but the Saints answered each time -- especially from deep. Carroll shot 14-for-23 from the three-point line (61 percent). After the three hadn't been kind to the Saints in the games prior, Carroll cashed in from deep against Arizona Christian. Warp and Flowers both hit five treys.
Five of the Firestorm reached double figures, as O'Shae Williams led them with 18 points.
The win gave the Saints a 2-1 record at the Cactus Classic, and two solid wins to leave the desert feeling good about.
The Saints next play on Dec. 27 against SAIT Polytechnic in the PE Center.
