ABILENE, Texas — The Wildcats opened the game on a 17-0 run and never looked back on their way to a 77-68 win over California Baptist. It was another defensive spectacle as ACU forced turnovers early and often and were able to get out in transition to get easy scoring opportunities. The Lancers were able to chip away at the large lead but each time the Wildcats had an answer for their run. The team continued their stout defense down the stretch and made clutch shots to come away with the win.
Key Plays
- The Wildcats forced turnovers on the first two CBU possessions, the second leading to a layup on the other end for Airion Simmons.
- Two more turnovers led to threes at the other end to push the Wildcats lead to 11-0.
- Coryon Mason threw down a dunk off of a pass from Immanuel Allen to push the lead to 15-0.
- A 6-0 run from the Lancers, capped by a layup from Elijah Thomas, cut the Wildcats lead to 10 with just under eight to play in the first half.
- A three from Mahki Morris pushed the Wildcats lead back to 15 at the 4:56 mark in the first half.
- A three from Reed Nottage cut the Wildcats lead to eight and ACU held a 33-25 lead at the break.
- Simmons opened the second half with a bucket and drew the foul, followed by a jumper from Morris as the Wildcats scored the first five of the second half.
- Immanuel Allen hit a big three at the top of the key to push the Wildcats lead to 12 with four minutes gone in the second.
- Allen scored six straight for ACU, converting a three-point play on one possession and following it with another made three on the next possession.
- After CBU cut the Wildcats lead to as few as six, ACU answered with a layup from Tobias Cameron and then another Reggie Miller three to push the lead back to double digits.
- Simmons hit a dagger three with just over two minutes to play that gave ACU a 12-point lead.
- With the press on, the Wildcats executed the press break to perfection finishing with a dunk from Allen that made it a 13-point game with just under a minute to play.
Stat Pack
- Airion Simmons had a phenomenal night for the Wildcats with 18 points, three rebounds, and three steals.
- Reggie Miller was efficient on the night going 3-4 from the field, all from beyond the arc. He finished with nine points and five assists.
- Immanuel Allen scored 14 points off the bench and added four rebounds and two assists on the night.
- Tobias Cameron earned his first-career start and finished with six points and a team-high six rebounds.
- The Wildcats scored 36 points off of 23 forced turnovers and totaled nine steals on the night.
- The team totaled 17 assists on 27 made field goals.
- ACU shot 45.8 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three for their best shooting night since Utah Valley.
Coach Tanner Interview
Up Next
The Wildcats will head back on the road next week to face UTRGV and Lamar. ACU will match up with the Vaqueros on Wednesday night before heading to Beaumont to take on the Cardinals Saturday afternoon.
