HAMMOND, La.— What looked like another dominant win for the Wildcats early in the game, came down to the wire as Southeastern Louisiana put up a fight in the second half. ACU held a 14-point lead at the half and were dominating on both sides of the ball early. The Lions came out ready to fight in the second half and quickly had the lead down to single digits. SLU continued to chip away at the ACU lead and found a way to tie the game at 63 with four minutes left in the game. In a small dose of déjà vu,
Damien Daniels got to the free throw line and sank both attempts to spur an 11-0 run for the Wildcats. The Lions were able to make a couple of late buckets but ACU had the game well in hand, earning the 75-69 win while clinching their spot in the Southland Conference tournament.
Southland Significance
The Wildcats secured their spot in the postseason tournament with the win over SLU. ACU also got some help from UCA who earned a dominate win over Nicholls, who now has five conference losses on the season and drops them behind ACU in the standings.
Key Plays
- The Wildcats went up 10-2 early in the game and held the Lions without a field goal for the first six and a half minutes of the game.
- Clay Gayman started the game 8-8 from the free throw line to help push the Wildcats lead to 10.
- Payten Ricks had a steal with 12 minutes left to play in the first half to break the record for steals in a single season in ACU's DI history. The previous record was held by Jaylen Franklin who totaled 61 steals last season.
- Ricks hit a three to push the Wildcats lead to 12 points with nine minutes left to play in the first half.
- Coryon Mason hit a three at the halftime buzzer to give the Wildcats their largest lead of the game at 14.
- SLU's Pape Diop opened the second half scoring eight-straight points for the Lions and cut ACU's lead to just six points.
- Airion Simmons had a huge basket and complete the three-point play late in the second half pushing the Wildcats lead to five.
- Mason had a monster block on a three-point attempt by the Lions, grabbed the rebound, and went down the floor for a dunk that put the Wildcats up seven.
Turning Point
After allowing the Lions to come back and tie the game at 63, ACU went on an 11-0 run that put the game out of reach for SLU down the stretch.
Gold Mine
Stat Pack
- This is the first time on the season that ACU has won when committing more turnovers than their opponent.
- Kolton Kohl went 6-6 from the floor for 12 points and also grabbed six boards.
- ACU outrebounded the Lions, 33-24, and earned their 10th win of the season when they total more boards than their opponent
- Gayman shot just 1-5 from the floor, but went 9-10 from the FT line to total 11 points on the night.
- Ricks continued his stellar play, scoring 18 points while also dishing out three assists and tallying three steals. He also shot 8-10 from the free throw line.
- Mason had a standout offensive game scoring 15 points on 5-9 shooting, he also tallied the team's only block and had a rebound and a steal.
- Simmons led the team with eight rebounds, including four offensive rebounds.
- As a team, the Wildcats went 26-29 from the free throw line.
Up Next
ACU will return home for their next three games and will have several tough opponents ahead. First up for the Wildcats are the Bearkats from Sam Houston State who will come into Moody Coliseum next week.
