ABILENE – After a tough defeat Wednesday on the road at SFA, the Wildcat basketball team looks to get back on track when it hosts the Cardinals of Incarnate Word in Moody Coliseum. The team is hosting Alumni Day and the second annual Diaper Derby, presented by The Birthplace at Hendrick Medical Center.
FOLLOW THE GAME
ACU vs. UIW: Saturday, Feb. 1 (4:30 p.m.)
SERIES HISTORY
- The two long-time rivals from the Lone Star Conference have met 32 times, with ACU leading the series 23-9.
- It's been all Wildcats since the teams moved to Division I in 2013, with ACU leading 11-1 in that span.
- ACU leads the series 12-2 in games played in Abilene.
SOUTHLAND SIGNIFICANCE
- ACU sits in fourth place in the standings, but with a game looming between SFA and Sam Houston State, there could be a four-way tie for first after Saturday's games. Saturday marks the halfway point of the conference season, and ACU still gets to play the top three teams again.
ACU STORYLINES
- The Wildcats are coming off a tough defeat to Stephen F. Austin, in a game that saw ACU trail by 21 points with 1:20 to play in the third quarter. ACU did go on a 15-3 run to get back in, but ultimately fell 69-59 in Nacogdoches.
- Senior Breanna Wright is the reigning Southland Conference Player of the Week after absolutely dominating offensively last week, tallying 60 total points in the two victories. Wright put together the best two-game stretch of her brilliant career, scoring 29 at Sam and following it up by matching a career-high with 31 at UCA. The Jarrell native hit eight three-pointers and 18 free throws.
- ACU checks in at No. 15 in the latest Mid Major Poll, moving up one spot from a week ago. Three weeks prior, the Wildcats were up to No. 11, the highest the team had ever been. The 'Cats have earned key road victories this season. The team topped then-No. 16 Wright State on Nov. 15, and won at Portland on Nov. 29, who was receiving votes. The win over Sam Houston State was one of the biggest league wins so far as well. ACU has been ranked 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 21 this season.
- ACU boasts the two of the top three scorers in the conference, with Brea Wright leading the way at 16.8 points per contest. Dominique Golightly ranks third at 15.0 per game. Wright ranks fourth in the league in field goal percentage at 49.4%, while Golightly ranks sixth in that category. The duo is also the league leaders in three-point percentage this season.
SCOUTING UIW (8-10, 4-5 SLC)
- The Cardinals have struggled offensively this season, averaging just 56 points per game. The calling card has been the defense this year, allowing just 60 points per contest.
- Imani Robinson is the leading scorer at 12.8 points per game, while Kara Speer leads the team in rebounding at 7.1.
