ABILENE –
Preston Davis recorded career highs with seven steals and 18 points leading Abilene Christian to a 85-71 victory over Dallas Baptist Monday night in non-conference action at Moody Coliseum.
ACU turned up the pressure in the second half as they came out with full court pressure against the Patriots.
Desmond Woodberry picked off a DBU pass as did Davis just two minutes into the second half as both fed the ball to
Giordan Cole for back-to-back dunks giving the Wildcats their first lead of the night at 42-40.
A jersey change by the senior Davis made him seem almost invisible as he and the Wildcats hounded the Patriot back court forcing 27 turnovers. Davis was forced to change to No. 2 after his No. 10 uniform top was stained with blood.
The Wildcats converted 31 points off of DBU turnovers and tallied 16 steals, a season high.
The Wildcats would jump out to a 9-0 run mid-way through the second half building their lead to 18 their largest of the game at that point. A free throw by the Patriots Ryan Marsh would cut the lead back to 17, but DBU would get no closer than 14.
Davis would get fouled on his drive to the basket and sink both free throws as he ended the game with a career high 18 points. The senior would add four assists on the night.
After a hot start for DBU who shot 54 percent in the first half, the Wildcats shot even better in the second period. ACU shot 60 percent in the second half and have seen an improvement from the free throw line as well where they were 81 percent as a team on the night.
ACU will now ready themselves for Lone Star Conference Division play after a weekend trip to Oklahoma against Southwestern Oklahoma on Thursday and Cameron on Saturday. South Division play begins next Tuesday as ACU hosts Tarleton State at Mood Coliseum.
