CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — It wasn't as easy task for the Wildcats but they went into the American Bank Center and earned their fifth-straight win, 82-69 over the Islanders. A back-and-forth first half was highlighted by 13 points from
Kolton Kohl, but it was Simeon Fryer for AMCC that made the biggest impact early with 17 first half points.
Joe Pleasant answered with 17 points of his own in the second half, finishing with a career-high 22, and the Wildcats came away with the win.
Southland Significance
The Wildcats move to 8-1 which puts them in a tie for first with Sam Houston. They hold a half game edge over SFA who has seven wins, Nicholls is still in fourth at 7-2.
Key Plays
- Back-to-back threes from Fryer gave the Islanders an early 6-2 lead and helped AMCC get into an offensive rhythm to start the game.
- Kohl got going midway through the first half on back-to-back jumpers in the paint, both on assists from Tobias Cameron.
- Mahki Morris and Kohl each hit threes on consecutive possessions to give the Wildcats a three-point lead, 23-20.
- An offensive rebound from Coryon Mason led to a second-chance three from Reggie Miller to give ACU a 31-28 lead.
- The Wildcats were able to work their way inside in the second half and turned a four-point lead into a 10-point lead after driving layups from Miller, Mason, and Morris.
- The Islanders cut the ACU lead to three with just over eight minutes to play but a three from Joe Pleasant sparked an 8-0 run to give ACU their largest lead (+11) to that point
- Pleasant made a layup with just under two minutes to play and drew the foul, pushing the Wildcats lead back to double digits
- Both Airion Simmons and Miller had steals late that helped keep the Islanders at bay.
Turning Point
Pleasant's three with just over eight minutes remaining turned momentum in the Wildcats favor and helped spark an 8-0 run to push ACU's lead to double digits.
Stat Pack
- Joe Golding earned win No. 150, moving to 150-142 for his career.
- Pleasant scored 17 of his career-high 22 points in the second half, including two made threes. He went 7-9 from the field in the second half.
- The Wildcats took care of the ball, only eight turnovers in the game, but only two of those turnovers came in the second half.
- All 13 of Kohl's points came in the first half, he extended his double-digit scoring streak to seven games.
- AMCC's Fryer score 29 on 8-11 shooting, including going 10-10 from the free throw line.
- ACU dominated the paint, outscoring the Islanders 46-26 inside.
- The team forced 18 turnovers leading to 21 points.
- The Wildcats had 20 assists on 31 made field goals.
Up Next
It's another quick turnaround for the Wildcats as they host HBU in Teague on Wednesday night. This will be the team's third game in five days.
