Wildcats' team defense shines in Lubbock

LUBBOCK, Texas — ACU basketball knows there is no moment too big, especially in a season where games can move and change at a moment’s notice. In a season where we have seen some of the biggest matchups get canceled, the Wildcats were able to get a quality game on the schedule and face West Texas foe, No. 17 Texas Tech. The series has leaned heavily in favor of the Red Raiders in recent years, Tech won the last two matchups by an average of 30.5 points, but the task at hand was no different from any other game on the schedule. 

The Wildcats are a dominant defensive team and the Red Raiders bring a similar mindset to their games as well, and it was a defensive battle early. Texas Tech held just a 2-1 lead at the first media break of the game, and while they held as much as a 14-point advantage it was just a 23-14 score at the half. ACU was able to chip away at the Texas Tech lead early in the second half and it was a one-possession game for most of the remaining time. Foul trouble and late turnovers allowed Texas Tech to pull away late, but it was one of the best performances in the Wildcats’ DI history. 

Key Plays

• The Wildcats were able to grab the lead early on a Logan McLaughlin three that gave them the 4-2 advantage
• After leading 7-6, the Wildcats gave up a 10-0 run to the Red Raiders over a seven minutes stretch
• Coming out of the under-4 timeout in the first half, Immanuel Allen drew a charge on the next Texas Tech possession resulting in a dunk for Allen at the other end 
• Again, just before the half, Allen would draw a charge that led to a solid offensive possession and a layup for Damien Daniels
• Coming out of the half, Coryon Mason scored the first five Wildcats points to cut the Red Raider lead to six points
• Reggie Miller used a solid drive to score and draw a foul early in the second half, his three-point play, followed by a made three from Daniels tied the game for the Wildcats
• With just under nine minutes to play, Mason followed a missed jumper from Simmons for a put-back dunk that gave the Wildcats the lead at the under-8 media timeout
• Miller made a late three that cut the Texas Tech lead to just three points with just over two minutes left to play
• The Red Raiders used clutch free throw shooting and timely defense to close out the Wildcats down the stretch

Turning Point

ACU held the Red Raiders scoreless for the final five minutes of the first half to cut the lead to just nine points at the half. They were then able to open the second half on an 11-2 run to tie the score at 25. 

Stat Pack

• Mason led the Wildcats with 14 points on 5-8 shooting, he scored 13 of his points in the second half
• ACU held Mac McClung to just eight points on 1-11 shooting, including holding him scoreless in the first half
• The Red Raiders held a 37-9 advantage on free throw attempts, they converted 25-37
• The Wildcats had eight steals on the night and forced a total of 16 turnovers, leading to 11 points for ACU
• ACU held Texas Tech to just 28 percent shooting on the night including 2-15 from long range

Up Next
The Wildcats will have a day off on Thursday as they finish up their finals before getting back to work on Friday to prep for McMurry on Saturday. The Wildcats host the Warhawks at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon in the Teague Center.