ABILENE – The defense and inside play helped fuel the Wildcat women's basketball team in ACU's return to Moody Coliseum Tuesday night. ACU kept close to its season average in points per game as it dominated the Howard Payne Lady Jackets, 96-58. The Wildcats shot 55.4% from the floor and knocked down 12 three-pointers, but got 48 points in the paint and locked down defensively to improve to 4-0.
Turning Point
- ACU took the early lead, but Howard Payne answered back to crawl within 13-7 at the 4:22, and then the Wildcats scored 21 straight points to end the quarter to lead 34-7. The 34 points was ACU's highest point total in any quarter this season. The run ended at 23-0 early in the second quarter and the game was never close after that.
Key Plays
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Makayla Mabry hit a three to open the night; it was significant for the junior who finished with an 11-point night.
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Breanna Wright's three-pointer at the 4:22 mark of the first quarter started the big run for the Wildcats. Wright finished with 12 points and three assists.
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Lexie Ducat had three consecutive layups in the first quarter on her way to a season-high 20 points on a ridiculous 10-of-11 shooting.
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Alyssa Adams was fouled with 1:30 to go and hit a pair of free throws. Mabry then scored five straight and Adams followed it with a fast break layup. Adams went 8-of-9 from the foul line Tuesday.
Stat Pack
- ACU shot a ridiculous 22-31 from the floor in the first half, and finished at a 55.4% clip for the game.
- The Wildcats finished 12-28 from behind the arc, and started 5-of-6 in the first quarter.
- Ducat's 20 points and nine rebounds led the way, while Adams tallied 13 and three.
- Wright tallied 12 points on 5-of-7 from the field, while Mabry added 11, and her six rebounds were second on the team.
- ACU forced 29 turnovers and turned it into 34 points, and turned it over 13 times.
- The Wildcats led 48-14 in points in the paint, as the bigs dominated inside.
Up Next
- The Wildcats have a week off before heading out on the road for Thanksgiving week. ACU meets the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. before heading out to the play the University of Portland on Friday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. central time.
