ABILENE – ACU opened the 2010-11 season as the Wildcats withstood a 6-0 run over the last 40 seconds from Texas-Permian Basin for an 80-79 win Friday night inside Moody Coliseum. Junior transfer
Zach Williams scored 21 points for the Wildcats to lead all scorers in the season-opening win.
The Wildcats trailed by as many as 10 points when
Dosh Simms drove to the basket was fouled, making both free throws to cut the lead to 61-53 with just over 13 minutes left to play. ACU went on a 7-0 run capped off by a steal and layup from
Ben Warton giving ACU its largest lead at 73-67 with 3:51 left in the game.
The Falcons would battle back after a pair of free throws cut the Wildcat lead to one at 74-73, but
Zach Williams would hit a 15 foot jumper and make two free throws pushing the ACU lead back to five. UTPB would again fight back with a trey that made it a one point game, 79-80 with 12 seconds left.
A Wildcat turnover gave the Falcons the ball with 8 seconds on the clock; however, Warton and Williams would clamp down the defense creating the 21st turnover for UTPB and sealing the win as time expired.
ACU shot improved at the free throw line over the course of the game after shooting only 73% they came out to shoot 80% from the line in the second half. The Wildcats also hit 5-of-9 from beyond the three-point arc including a clutch three from transfer
Alex Richman who finished with five points.
Warton was one rebound shy of a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds for the Wildcats including going 3-for-4 from the line.
Erik Martin led the Falcons with 20 followed by Jamal Holden with 15.
ACU moves to 1-0 as the Falcons fall to 0-1 in the opener for both squads. The Wildcats travel to Dallas for a non-conference game with Dallas Baptist with a 7 p.m. scheduled tipoff.
