ABILENE — The Wildcats got out to a big lead early, behind some of their best defense on the season, but once again the game would come down to the wire against the Bears. ACU forced 27 total turnovers and totaled 17 steals on the night to power them to their seventh-straight win. After trailing by 15 points at the half, Central Arkansas got hot from the floor, shooting over 65 percent in the second half, and nearly pulled off the comeback. ACU held on to a three-point lead with under a minute to play and
Coryon Mason made a late layup to seal the win, 75-70.
Southland Significance
The Wildcats continue to control their own destiny as the regular season comes to a close. If the team wins out, they can secure the two seed and a double-bye in Katy. The top-seeded Lumberjacks come to town next Tuesday for ACU's toughest regular season test yet.
Key Plays
- After back and forth scoring to open the game, Damien Daniels hit a three to tie the game at 15 as part of the 26-6 run in the first half.
- Coryon Mason got a steal at one end and hit a three from the wing in transition with nine left to play in the first half.
- Airion Simmons took back-to-back steals down the court for a sweet reverse layup and then a monster dunk that brought Moody out of their seats.
- The Wildcats scored the first six points of the second half, pushing their lead to 21 before the Bears mounted their comeback.
- The Bears used a 14-3 run to cut the Wildcats lead to 11. UCA hit three three-pointers, a layup and converted an and-one play on five of six possessions.
- A three from the Bears cut the Wildcats lead to six before ACU answered with a 9-2 run to bring the lead back to 13. Kolton Kohl scored six of those nine points.
- Clutch free throws from Payten Ricks and the late layup from Mason sealed the win for the Wildcats in the final minute.
Turning Point
A 26-6 run in the first half separated the Wildcats early but UCA made their run in the second half. The Bears outscored the Wildcats by 10 in the second half but it was key defensive stops throughout the last several minutes of action that keyed the ACU victory.
Stat Pack
- Eight different players scored for ACU with four of those players scoring in double figures.
- With his first made three of the night, Payten Ricks broke his own single-season record for made threes in ACU's DI era.
- With his second made three of the night, Ricks hit his 200th career three.
- Joe Pleasant went down with an injury early in the game after starting 3-3 from the field with six points in just over three minutes played.
- Four different players registered at least three steals for ACU as the team had their highest total steals against a DI opponent this season with 17.
- The 17 steals were the fifth most by an ACU team in the DI era and the most ever against a DI opponent.
- The 36 points off of turnovers was the most for the Wildcats against a DI opponent this season.
- Airion Simmons totaled nine points, seven rebounds and three steals on the night.
Up Next
ACU will face their toughest test of the season as they welcome the Lumberjacks of SFA to Abilene on Tuesday night. The Wildcats need a win in order to potentially secure the two-seed and a double-bye heading into the conference tournament. The men will play at approximately 7:30 p.m. immediately following the women's game. The game will stream on ESPN+ and the men will be celebrating their Senior Day.
