SALT LAKE CITY — The Wildcats tipped off the 2021-22 season on Tuesday night against the Runnin' Utes of the University of Utah. After a competitive first half and an early second half run for ACU, it was Utah who put together a solid run to pull away and earn the win on opening night. The Wildcats hustle and defense were on display early and ACU won the turnover battle by a plus-eight margin.
Key Plays
- Before either team scored on the night, two Wildcats had dove on the floor to get the opening tip and Mahki Morris took a charge on Utah's second possession.
- Reggie Miller got the scoring started on the night, finding a lane for an early layup.
- Miller followed his layup with a three just two possessions late to score five of ACU's first seven.
- Down by 12 with seven minutes left in the first half, Cameron Steele and Immanuel Allen hit back-to-back threes to cut the Utes lead in half.
- ACU closed the first half on an 8-2 run to cut the lead to seven at the half.
- The team opened the second half on a 12-5 run and cut the lead to as few as two points in that stretch.
- The Utes hit back-to-back shots, including a made three turned into a four-point play, and got their lead back to eight with 15 minutes left to play.
- The Wildcats went over four minutes without a field goal late in the half.
Turning Point
ACU cut the Utah lead to 36-34 with a three from
Immanuel Allen, but the Utes responded with a 22-6 run and took an 18-point lead with just under seven minutes to play.
Stat Pack
- Allen led the Wildcats in scoring with 13 points on the night for a new career mark. He went 4-6 from the field and 2-2 from three.
- 13 different Wildcats saw action in the opener with 10 putting points on the board.
- Airion Simmons led the way for ACU with seven rebounds, including three offensive boards.
- The team forced 20 Utah turnovers while only committing 12 turnovers themselves.
- Cameron Steele earned his first career start in the game and finished with three points, four rebounds, and three blocks.
- The team totaled nine steals on the night with eight different players accounting for them.
Up Next
ACU continues their road trip as they head back to Texas where they will face Texas A&M on Friday night in College Station. The game will be streamed on SEC Network+.
