CHANDLER, Ariz. – Playing in their second game at the 2018 Cactus Classic, Rocky was defeated by Arizona Christian 87-80.

The Battlin' Bears pulled ahead early in the first half and were able to maintain that lead well into the second half. It was then that a resurgent Firestorm retook the lead and the Battlin' Bears proved unable to keep pace for the rest of the game.

Jared Samuelson, Lukas Vining, and Danny Betcher accounted for 53 of Rocky's 80 points. 

Samuelson was a perfect four for four from beyond the arc and posted a team-high 29 points and seven rebounds. Danny Betcher provided 13 points and eight rebounds. Vining scored 11 points with seven rebounds and five assists.

Arizona Christian shot 48.2% with 52.4% on three pointers. In comparison, the Battlin' Bears shot 42.4% with 44% from beyond the arc.

The Battlin' Bears out-rebounded the Firestorm 49-28. Arizona Christian held a 6-4 advantage in steals.

The Firestorm's Callum Lawson scored 26 points with seven rebounds.

Rocky will play their final game in the 2018 Cactus Classic tomorrow against Benedictine University at Mesa. The game will tip off at 2 p.m. at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Chandler, Ariz.