TULSA, Okla. – The ACU women's basketball team wrapped up the ORU Thanksgiving Classic this weekend with a big win over the Arkansas State Red Wolves of the Sun Belt Conference, 81-69. After leading by as many as 18 in the first half, Arkansas State (4-4) got it within two points before ACU (5-1) pulled away again late.
Kamryn Mraz and
Madi Miller each had career performances as the Wildcats get their third win over a Division I opponent this season. ACU has started at least 5-1 in each of the last four seasons.
Turning Point: Back-to-back three-pointers from Miller and Bonnarens.
ACU built it biggest lead of the game late in the second quarter, 40-22, and looked to be cruising to a win. However, Arkansas State, who averaged 85 points per game, started its comeback. The Red Wolves outscored ACU 8-2 to close the half, then scored the first 10 of the third quarter to get within two points, 42-40. The 18-2 run looked like it would be enough for A-State to take the lead, but the Wildcats responded. Miller buried a three-pointer on the wing in transition, and grad transfer
Jamie Bonnarens followed it up with a triple of her own to immediately push the lead back to eight, 48-40. ACU would then close the game out by building as much as an 18-point lead again, and ultimately holding on to win by 12.
Key Plays
- 1Q | The key for the weekend was to get off to a good start. After leading 10-3 on Saturday against Little Rock, the 'Cats backed it up with an 8-2 lead early after a
Kamryn Mraz three-pointer.
- 1Q | Freshman
Bella Earle hit a three-pointer to go up 11-7 four minutes into the game.
- 1Q |
Sarah Griswold got hot early in the game from mid-range, hitting a jumper with three minutes left to go up 10, 17-7.
- 2Q |
Paige Emborsky entered the game and immediately made an impact with a three-pointer off a screen at the top of the key to push the lead to 27-18.
- 2Q | Mraz's third triple was followed by another one from Bonnarens to go up 35-22, then the fourth for Mraz forced an A-State timout with a 38-22 lead.
- 3Q | The 18-2 run included the first 10 points of the third quarter for the Red Wolves. ACU needed a basket, and got it from Miller after a a Mraz steal. She found Miller in transition and the senior was all alone on the right wing to get the big answer.
- 3Q | Immediately on the ensuing A-State possession, the Red Wolves missed their jumper, and ACU cleared. Bonnarens then hit a three to get all the momentum back and push the lead back to eight, 48-40.
- 3Q | A-State cut it to within three points again, but Bonnarens answered right back to go back up six, 51-45.
Tatum Barber followed with a layup and a couple possessions later it was an 11-point lead again.
- 4Q | ACU forced A-State's hand defensively by continuing to drive to the paint and force the issue, and the Red Wolves kept fouling. The 'Cats went 10-of-13 at the foul line in the fourth quarter alone.
Stat Pack
- ACU did not get to the free throw line in the first half, as was the case Saturday against Little Rock. The Wildcats did get there in the final 20 minutes, hitting 11-of-15 from the stripe.
- Mraz matched her season-high with 16 points, but set a new career-mark with five made three-pointers. The Little River native also had a new season-best seven assists in the game. Mraz added four boards and three swipes as well.
- Miller led the way with a new season-high 18 points, and hit a season-best five times at the foul line. The Wylie, Texas native also set a new career mark with seven assists. She also was so good at handling the ball, drawing seven fouls on Arkansas State players in the game.
- At one point in the second half, head coach
Julie Goodenough found the most veteran lineup she had including senior
Madi Miller and redshirt junior
Kamryn Mraz, both in their fourth year with the program, as well as grad transfers
Jamie Bonnarens,
Emma Middleton, and
Tatum Barber, all who are in their fifth year playing college ball.
- Bonnarens finished with 13 points and three more three-pointers, giving her eight for the tournament. She added a pair of assists and three rebounds.
- Griswold dominated inside, scorign 13 points with a pair of rebounds and a block. The Okarche, Okla. native went 5-of-7 from the floor and 3-of-4 from the foul line.
- Barber added nine points and six rebounds.
- ACU is now 15-6 in early-season tournament games since the 2013-14 season, its first year in Division I.
Up Next
ACU will hit the road for the only time in the month of December next Saturday when they take on the Nicholls Colonels in Thibodaux, La. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. with the former Southland Conference rivals, and can be heard on 102.7 The Bear.
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