STEPHENVILLE – The ACU Wildcats had one chance to reach the Lone Star Conference Post-Season Tournament on Saturday. Unfortunately it meant they would have to win in a place where they haven't won since Bill Clinton was in the White House.
And like every one of their trips to Tarleton State's Wisdom Gym since 1995, the ACU Wildcats walked out of the gym on the losing end against the Texans.
Not only did Saturday night's 74-62 loss to the Texans signal the Wildcats' 15th straight regular-season loss in Stephenville, it also marked the end to their season. ACU had to beat Tarleton State to earn a spot in the LSC Post-Season Tournament for the first time since 2007-08.
But they couldn't do it, despite rallying at the end of the first half and keeping the game close throughout. However, ACU still hasn't won a regular-season game at Tarleton State since a 77-64 win on Jan. 3, 1994. Their last win in Stephenville was a 71-68 win over the Texans in a 1998 LSC Post-Season Tournament game.
The Wildcats fell behind early 9-0 on their way to a 22-5 deficit just nine minutes into the game. But the Wildcats went on a 22-5 run of their own to tie the game at 27-27. Senior
Zach Williams keyed the run with 11 of the Wildcats' 22 points as they were able to tie the score at 27-27 on a
Marc Little jumper with 4:27 left in the half.
The last 4:27 were back-and-forth and the teams went to halftime tied at 34-34.
But the Texans outscored ACU 14-2 to start the second half as they were able to take control of the contest. The Wildcats made a push midway through the half and got to within six points on a couple of occasions, but that was as close they would get the rest of the way.
The Texans pushed the lead back to as much as 15 points (63-48) with 3:19 to play and they cruised home with the win.
Williams finished with 17 points in his final game as a Wildcat, while Little had 19 points.
