ODESSA – ACU could not overcome a cold second half from the field as they fell 95-81 to Texas-Permian Basin Wednesday night on the road in non-conference action inside the Falcon Dome.
After a hot first half the Wildcats shot only 34% from the field in the second half to drop to 2-2 on the season, both losses coming on the road. UTPB improves to 2-5 as both teams split the season series with the home team winning each game.
Preston Davis sunk two free throws to give the Wildcats a one point lead with just under 10 minutes, but the Falcons would work the ball in the post and a dunk from Klein Harper would give UTPB a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game. Davis would have a team high 17 points and a perfect 7 for 7 from the free throw line.
The Falcons would go on a 15-4 run over the next 6:07 of the second half when a
Zach Williams jumper cut the lead to 10. Williams would finish with 15 points on the night.
Davis would convert a three-point play on a fast break layup with 1:27 left in the game to cut the Falcon lead to single digits at 90-81. ACU would be forced to foul after missing a steal and a pair of Williams' three pointers with 30 seconds.
UTPB would sink 5 of 6 free throws in the last 1:18 of the game to extend the lead to 14 and the final, 95-81.
Ke'Andre Derrick led all scorers with 22 going 6 of 7 from the free throw line.
After struggling from the line much of last season the Wildcats have improved and continued that success tonight shooting just under 80% on the night and 90.9% from the stripe in the first half. Along with Davis going 7-7 from the line
Alex Richman,
Dosh Simms, and
Jared Johnson were all perfect going 2 for 2 on the night.
ACU returns to action this weekend hosting Texas A&M-Commerce in Lone Star Conference Crossover men's and women's double-header. Tipoff from Moody Coliseum is set for 4 p.m. following the women's game.
