ABILENE — In their return home after a three-game road swing, the Wildcats looked like they have all season when playing in Moody. ACU put up 85 points on over 50 percent shooting, while holding the Bearkats to 69 points on the night.
Payten Ricks lit up from downtown once again, making five three-pointers, and scored 23 points despite playing just five minutes in the first half. The team got contributions from all over with seven players scoring six or more points. The defense was rock solid as they forced 15 turnovers and totaled seven steals on the night. This is the sixth straight win for the Wildcats and they will look to continue the streak on Saturday against Central Arkansas.
Southland Significance
With the win, the Wildcats secured at least a top-4 seed and a first-round bye in Katy. The Wildcats will need to win out if they want to secure the two-seed. With a win over Northwestern State tonight, SFA clinched the regular season crown.
Key Plays
- Ricks took a shot to the face just one minute into the game that sidelined him for several minutes early. The senior also picked up two quick fouls and only saw five minutes of first half action.
- Airion Simmons hit a three at the top of the key five minutes into the game that helped break open the game early.
- Kolton Kohl made two shots in the paint in the first half to help establish the Wildcats post play.
- Tobias Cameron hit a huge corner three to close out the first half and give ACU the double-digit lead heading into the half.
- Just 12 seconds into the second half, Ricks made his second three of the night and showcased what was to come over the final 20 minutes of action.
- After the Ricks three, Sam Houston scored nine-straight points to cut the lead to just six points. It would be the smallest lead the Wildcats held in the second half.
- With the Wildcat lead at just seven points, Trey Lenox converted a three-point play to spark a 15-0 run for ACU.
- During that run, Joe Pleasant had a monster drive and dunk that got the crowd in Moody out of their seats.
- Damien Daniels connected with Kolton Kohl twice in the game for huge dunks form the seven-footer.
Turning Point
After the Bearkats cut the ACU lead to seven points with just under 15 minutes left in the game,
Trey Lenox hit a layup and converted the and-one opportunity that sparked a 15-0 run over the next five minutes. Sam Houston never got closer than 14 points after that run.
Stat Pack
- Kohl once again had a huge game off the bench, scoring 12 points and going 4-4 from the floor and the free throw line.
- The five threes from Ricks put him just one made threes away from breaking his own record of 81 made threes in a season (DI era).
- The Wildcats' 85 points was their highest score against a DI opponent this season.
- Damien Daniels dished out four assists tonight with two of those resulting in huge dunks for Kohl.
- ACU outscored the Bearkats in the paint 32-24.
- The six-straight wins for the Wildcats is their longest winning streak of the year.
- Clay Gayman and Kolton Kohl each scored in double figures for the Wildcats with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Up Next
The Wildcats will continue their homestand on Saturday when they host the Bears of Central Arkansas. The men's game will tip just after the women's game finishes, at approximately 3:30 p.m.
