CONWAY, Ark. – It was tough, it was a grind, but it was a road win Saturday for the ACU women's basketball team as they took down their rivals from Central Arkansas, 74-64. A big second quarter was the difference for the Wildcats (15-2, 7-1 SLC) as they pick up their third-straight win and fourth in a row against the Sugar Bears. The free throw line was key as well, as ACU went 28-34 at the stripe to seal the win.
Breanna Wright averaged 30 points for the week and led the way, matching a career-best 31 points in the team's 15th win of the season.
Turning Point: The second quarter.
- ACU struggled to score for the majority of the first quarter, but in the final 50 seconds the momentum turned. Alyssa Adams hit a three-pointer off the back board, and Breanna Wright hit a triple with five seconds left to end the frame on a 6-0 run. That momentum continued into the second quarter as ACU went on a 14-0 stretch to push their lead to 23-13. ACU outscored UCA 21-9 in the second quarter to build a big halftime lead, 36-22.
- UCA trimmed a 14-point lead down to seven in the fourth quarter, but Alyssa Adams, who lived at the foul line, hit a pair of free throws to extend it back to nine with 40 seconds left. The Wildcats hit huge shots and free throws to never feel uncomfortable with their lead.
Key Plays
- Trailing 9-6 in the first quarter, Wright hit the first of five three-pointers in the game at the 2:21 mark to tie it. Wright and Adams then hit back-to-back to go up 15-13 at the end of the first quarter.
- Anna McLeod and Wright each scored inside to open the second, and it sparked an 8-0 run. Madi Miller also drove to the hoop and drew a foul, and hit both free throws, despite having a hand injury.
- Then the free throws happened. Wright and McLeod went to the line multiple times in the second period. Miller capped off the quarter with a foul shot as well, and the lead was 14 at halftime.
- The second half was all about maintaining what was built. The middle of the third period saw the first push back from UCA, cutting the lead to seven, but Wright answered back with a triple to immediately extend it back to 10.
- Wright hit her fifth three to open the fourth and the lead was 14 eight seconds into the period, 51-37.
- With UCA trailing by just eight, Madi Miller gave ACU its second bank-shot three with 6:05 to play, and it may have been the dagger as the Wildcats led by 11 at that point.
Stat Pack
- The 34 free throw attempts are the second most this season (37 at Wright State) and the 28 makes are the most since the semifinal win over Lamar last March.
- Wright matched a career-high with 31 points; the senior did it at Sam Houston State two years ago, and at home against Lamar last season.
- Wright hit five three-pointers, matching her season-high (New Mexico State), and went 9-of-17 from the floor in the win.
- Adams dominated inside, scoring 16 points and went 9-of-12 at the free throw line, both career-highs at the stripe. The junior tallied seven rebounds and drew seven fouls, a team-best.
- Makayla Mabry had a huge impact defensively, grabbing a team-high eight rebounds. Both of her baskets came at key times in the fourth quarter as well.
- Anna McLeod scored eight points and was a solid 4-of-4 at the stripe. Madi Miller and Dominique Golightly each tallied six points.
- The Wildcats went 8-of-16 from the three-point line, and held Central Arkansas to just 2-of-10 from distance.
"Good"-ie Bag of Quotes
Head Coach Julie Goodenough
On the challenging battle with the Sugar Bears…
"This is exactly what you expect with Central Arkansas. They are a good offensive rebounding team, and they are so good with their guards. They beat people because they play really, really hard. I'm very pleased with how we stayed the course in the second half."
On Breanna Wright's career day…
"I thought Brea was tough as nails. She made huge, clutch shots when she needed to, had a lot of composure. They defended her for 90 feet every time they made a shot."
On her team's ability to get to the foul line…
"Both teams fouled a lot today. I'm proud of
Alyssa Adams for looking for her shot again today. We had to get back to our offensive rhythm in the second half. We had to foul trouble. This is a tough environment. It was a tough place to play."
On not having a shot clock in the second half…
"I don't like long breaks like that. We stood around and waited a lot. We had to fight extra, and we will learn a lot from watching this game. But we adjusted."
On how important this win was…
"I'm so proud of them. This is a tough place to play, it's really tough to win on the road. And to do it twice in a week is pretty special."
Up Next
- ACU will wrap up the three-game road trip with a date in Nacogdoches, Texas next Wednesday, Jan. 29 to face Stephen F. Austin. Tipoff with the Ladyjacks is slated for 5 p.m.
