LAS VEGAS - The Carroll College women's basketball team held Arizona Christian to just 18 points in the first half and survived a rabid comeback from the Firestorm to win 70-63 in first day action at the Frontier Conference Las Vegas Shootout.
 
The Saints went on a 10-0 run to start the game and outscored ACU 16-6 in the first quarter. Carroll had a 22-12 in the second quarter to build a 38-18 advantage at the break. The lead would be tested in the second half.
 
Carroll built the lead to 52-27 with 4:23 left in the third quarter but the Firestorm closed the quarter on a 10-2 run to cut the lead to 54-37.
 
ACU kept the pressure on in the fourth quarter, chipping away at the deficit until they cut it to 65-61 with just 37 seconds remaining. It would be as close as they would come as the Saints went 5-6 from the free throw line in the final 30 seconds to close out the seven-point win.
 
Carroll was led by Bailey Pasta and Brittney Johnson with 16 points each. Cassidy Hashley had 11 rebounds and Baylee Watson notched 10. Carroll was 25-55 (45.5 percent) from the field and 6-5 (40 percent) from the three-point line.
 
ACU leading scorer Courtney Christmas was held to 3-11 from the field and 0-6 from the three-point line for 11 points. Makayla Enders also notched 11 points for the Firestorm. Courtney Leach, Jada Willingham and Toni Davis all scored 10 each for ACU.
 
The Saints gave up 28 turnovers to ACU's 22 but Carroll outrebounded the Firestorm 38-36.
 
Carroll plays Xavier University of Louisiana Saturday at 6 p.m. MST. Live stats are available via Dakstats.