HOUSTON – Six different Wildcats scored in double figures, ACU shot 52% from the floor, and punched its ticket to the 2020 Hercules Tires Southland Conference Tournament Wednesday night in an 84-79 win over Houston Baptist. The Wildcats (19-5, 11-4 SLC) led late by 14 points, held on by five, and earned their third-consecutive trip to the league tournament; ACU has only been eligible for the SLC Tournament for three years since moving to Division I.
Southland Significance
- Not only did the win ensure another trip to Katy, Texas, but it kept ACU in the top four in the league standings. The top four teams earn a first-round bye at the tournament, and only have to win three games instead of four to win the title.
Turning Point 1: The second quarter start.
- ACU trailed for a majority of the first frame, but got within four points on a Dominique Golightly bucket at the end of the period.
- Golightly then opened the second with a three-pointer, while Alyssa Adams came off the bench and scored five straight inside.
- ACU went on 20-4 run from the 1:09 mark of the first to the 6:20 slot of the second.
Turning Point 2: The middle of the fourth quarter.
- The game was tied at 54 after three quarters, but the offense exploded for 30 points in the fourth. Breanna Wright, who hit a three near the end of the third, started the fourth with an and-one bucket to put the Wildcats up three.
- Anna McLeod, who played just five minutes in the first half with two fouls, scored on a layup to push the lead to seven, and Wright would then hit a three moments later to give ACU an 11-point advantage.
- The apparent dagger came from Makayla Mabry, who hit a triple off a McLeod steal with 3:28 to play to give ACU a 14-point lead, 77-63.
Hanging on Late
- HBU was not done despite being down 14. The Huskies went on an 11-3 run to cut it to six, 80-74, but Golightly and Adams each hit a free throw to go back up eight. ACU held on to win by five despite HBU closing the game on a 16-7 run.
Key Plays
- McLeod came out firing, hitting the game's first three-pointer early on. Despite getting into foul trouble, the Houston native, in front of many friends and family, dominated the second half, scoring early and often. The junior scored 13 in the second half.
- At the 6:50 mark of the second period, HBU hit a shot to cut the lead to five, but Mabry answered right back with a three-pointer to give ACU an eight-point cushion.
- Lexie Ducat closed the third quarter with a critical three-point play inside to tie the game. It evened things up and reset the game heading to the fourth.
- McLeod set up Mabry for the three to give ACU a 14-point lead. HBU rolled the ball up the floor to preserve time before picking the ball up, and did so multiple times in the second half. McLeod realized it and stole it before it could be picked up and hit Mabry for the huge triple.
Stat Pack
- You can't ask for better distribution. ACU has six players score in double figures for the first time against a Division I opponent this season, and just the second time all year; the Wildcats did it against Schreiner on Dec. 14.
- McLeod and Wright each recorded 16 points; the 16 is the most for McLeod against a Division I team this season.
- Ducat finished with 15 points on 5-of-9 from the floor and 5-of-5 at the free throw line.
- Golightly tallied 14 and dished out a team-best seven helpers while adding five rebounds.
- Mabry added 12 points to go along with a team-high six boards, while Adams finished with 11 and five.
- Adams was 7-of-9 at the free throw line; ACU got back to the foul line tonight, converting 21 of 25 attempts.
"Good"-ie Bag of Quotes
Head Coach Julie Goodenough
On her team's overall performance…
"It was a typical shootout tonight. A lot of offense, not a lot of defense. I was pleased with our starters for scoring the way we did. We read the defense well and did what we needed to do offensively. We just gave up too many good looks to Houston Baptist. That team is trying to play spoiler. And they played hard tonight. It was a good win for us to get back on track."
On Anna McLeod's night…
"Anna had a lot of people cheering her on tonight. It was a bummer for her to get those two quick fouls in the first half. She was on fire early, and I thought she was going to have a big night. It was impressive to watch her in the second half. She was so big time for us tonight."
On punching their ticket to the conference tournament…
"It's great for our team. To get there with still five games to play is great. I'm so proud of what we've done. And I'm so excited to keep going the rest of the year."
Up Next
- ACU wraps up the three-game road trip in Hammond, La. on Saturday afternoon when it takes on Southeastern Louisiana. The tipoff is slated for 1 p.m.
