ESTERO, Fla. — The Wildcats responded to their season opening win in a major way Friday afternoon as they put on another defensive clinic to open up the game against Austin Peay. APSU came into the game 2-0 and was looking to remain undefeated in their final game of the Gulf Coast Showcase. ACU opened the game with a 30-11 run and never trailed in one of their toughest early season battles. The team held a 43-26 lead at the half but it was not quite smooth sailing the rest of the for the Wildcats. Austin Peay began hitting tough shots and found ways to break down the ACU defense to tighten the game in the second half.
With the Wildcats holding as much as a 20-point lead at points in the second half, the Governors found a way to make it a game late. With under two minutes to play, APSU cut the lead to 10 but the Wildcats were able to answer with a couple of defensive stops and made enough free throws to keep the Govs at bay, earning the 80-72 win.
Key Plays
- In the midst of a 15-0 run early in the first half, Joe Pleasant ripped the ball away from APSU leading to a fast break three from Logan McLaughlin to give the Wildcats a 12-point lead.
- With just over seven minutes left in the first half Kolton Kohl took a feed from Airion Simmons for a huge dunk that put the Wildcats up 30-11.
- The Govs scored the final five points of the first half to cut the Wildcats lead to 17.
- Austin Peay made two early threes in the second half and followed it up shortly after by making five straight buckets to cut into the ACU lead.
- Coryon Mason added to his team-leading point total with a huge three with just over five minutes left to play to push the ACU lead to 16 points.
- After missing two free throws with just under two minutes to play, Reggie Miller responded on the defensive end getting a steal and an assist on a Clay Gayman dunk to put the Wildcats back up by 12.
Turning Point
The 15-0 run early in the first half set the tone for the game and despite the Governors best efforts, the Wildcats held them at bay for the win.
Stat Pack
- Reggie Miller scored a career-high 10 points, including going 2-2 from three-point range
- Joe Pleasant responded to a low-output first game with 12 points and five rebounds against the Govs.
- The Wildcats tallied 12 steals and held a plus-five turnover margin
- ACU continued their sharpshooting from distance going 5-9 from downtown
- After starting the game more efficient from the free throw line, the Wildcats struggled to make their free throws down the stretch and shot under 60 percent at the line
- ACU held at 42-34 advantage in points in the paint as well as a 25-14 advantage in bench points
- Clay Gayman led the Wildcats in steals once again with four on the day and now has seven through the first two games
- The Wildcats had four players score in double figures, led by Mason with 14, and 10 different players scored for ACU
Up Next
The Wildcats have a quick turnaround for tomorrow's game as they face Omaha at 10 a.m. CT to close out the #BeachBubble at the Gulf Coast Showcase.
