ABILENE, Texas — Abilene Christian weathered a huge first-half deficit to make it a one-possession game late, but it wouldn't be enough as they fell to SFA on Thursday night, 58-64. The Wildcats struggled to shoot the ball while the Lumberjacks came out and hit eight threes on 57 percent shooting in the first half. ACU was true to their blueprint, forcing 26 turnovers and totaling 11 steals, but didn't have enough to overcome their first half struggles.
Key Plays
- The 'Jacks forced the ball inside early and were able to get two early buckets inside for a 4-0 lead.
- Mahki Morris and Coryon Mason made the first two baskets for the Wildcats and tied the game at four.
- With the game tied at nine, SFA hit five-straight threes over the next four minutes while holding ACU scoreless to take the 15-point lead.
- Morris would break the scoring drought for the Wildcats with a running jumper in the lane making it a 13-point game.
- SFA stretched their lead to as many as 17 before the Wildcats pushed back late in the second half. Airion Simmons hit two free throws late and Mason hit a three at the halftime buzzer to cut the Lumberjack lead to 12 at the break.
- Cameron Steele would hit a three at the shot clock buzzer three minutes into the second half and a steal from Morris on the ensuing possession led to a run-out dunk for Airion Simmons that put the Wildcats within single digits for the first time since the 9:13 mark in the first half.
- With 4:59 to play, the Wildcats went on an 8-0 run that cut the Lumberjacks lead to four, capped by a layup and a drawn foul for Morris.
- SFA's Jossell hit a three with just over a minute and a half to play but ACU answered with a layup from Mason, a defensive stop, and then a three-point play from Mason to get back within one possession.
- The Wildcats had a chance to tie the game late, but SFA grabbed the rebound off the missed jumper in the lane and iced the game at the free throw line.
Coach and Player Interviews
Stat Pack
- Mahki Morris and Coryon Mason led the Wildcats with 12 points apiece on the night.
- ACU forced 26 turnovers and had a plus-11 turnover margin but were unable to convert them to points scoring just 18 off of turnovers.
- Ten different Wildcats scored in the game with 16 points coming from the bench.
- The loss breaks the team's 11-game win streak and is also their first lost at home when playing in Teague breaking what was a 21-game home winning streak.
- Morris also tallied four steals in the game and has now had three-straight games with three or more steals.
- SFA had the big advantage on the boards, outrebounding ACU 37-22.
Up Next
The Wildcats are back in the Teague Center Saturday night at 6 p.m. for the team's Alumni Night.
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