RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Grad transfer
Tatum Barber and senior
Madi Miller each recorded double-doubles as the ACU women's basketball team came up just short against WAC-undefeated California Baptist Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats (12-7, 4-4 WAC) held a 57-55 lead going into the fourth quarter, but the Lancers (15-2, 6-0 WAC), who haven't lost a conference game in almost two calendar years, shot 57% from the floor and outscored ACU 22-14 in the fourth quarter to top the 'Cats, 77-71. In the first meeting between the schools, ACU hit 12 three-pointers and had three players finish in double-figures.
Turning Point: The fourth quarter.
ACU led by a pair going to the fourth, and led 64-62 with 8:36 left. CBU then went on a run to take a 66-64 lead, and eventually put together a six-point cushion, 72-66, with two minutes left. ACU made one last run at it, as Miller hit a triple with a minute left, and Barber connected on a layup with 34 seconds to make it a 72-71 deficit. CBU made two foul shots to go up three, and ACU had a shot to tie it.
Jamie Bonnarens had a three-pointer blocked, and another free throw gave CBU a 75-71 lead. After a turnover, the Lancers iced the game with two more free throws.
Key Plays
- 1Q |
Emma Middleton, who made another start with
Sarah Griswold out, scored the first basket of the game inside.
- 1Q |
Kamryn Mraz hit her first three of the game to tie it at seven.
- 1Q | Freshman
Bella Earle connected on a triple to give ACU a lead of 13-11.
- 2Q | ACU trailed by 11, 32-21, with 4:32 left in the period. But ACU then went on a run. Bonnarens converted inside and Miller hit two free throws to get it to seven, and
Bella Earle followed later with a layup to put ACU down 34-29.
Nykale Cramer then buried a three-pointer and Miller converted inside, and all of a sudden, the game was tied at 34 at halftime.
- 3Q | Trailing 41-40, Earle buried another three to go up two points.
- 3Q | Earle broke a 43-43 tie with another three-pointer, her third of the contest.
- 3Q |
Nykale Cramer hit a triple to go up 50-45; Cramer played key minutes down the stretch.
Stat Pack
- Miller tallied a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, with the latter a new career-high. The senior dished out six assists as well, and hit three from distance.
- Barber notched a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards, and added three steals defensively. The 11 boards are a new season-high.
- Earle tallied 15 points, one short of matching a career-best, hitting three from downtown and adding five rebounds and a pair of helpers.
- Cramer added nine points off the bench in her most minutes since late December, and added three rebounds.
- Mraz buried two three-pointers and finished with eight points.
- ACU shot just six free throws, but did make 12 three-pointers, their most in a WAC game this season.
Up Next
ACU returns to the Teague Center next week with home games against UTRGV and Lamar. The matchup with UTRGV takes place on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m., and the game against Lamar is on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 1 p.m. Both games will air on ESPN+.
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