ABILENE, Texas — The Wildcats were back on the court Saturday night and it was another battle in front of a capacity crowd at the Teague Center. ACU and Sam Houston put on an instant classic as the Bearkats walked away with the win on a last chance bank shot that fell to give SHSU the 65-63 win. It was once again a tale of two halves as Abilene Christian gave up 36 points in the first half and allowed Sam Houston's Flagg to score 17 of his 25 in the first half. The Wildcats battled back late and tied the game with 16 seconds to go, but the Bearkats' late-game heroics proved to be the difference maker.
Key Plays
- The Wildcats gave up two offensive boards and the putback basket on the first play of the game.
- Airion Simmons got a steal and finished on the other end to put the Wildcats up 7-2 just four minutes into the game.
- ACU held the 12-10 lead and Sam Houston answered with a 10-0 run capped by a Demarkus Lampley three.
- The Wildcats went scoreless for four and a half minutes before Coryon Mason hit a three with just under 10 minutes to play in the first half.
- Savion Flagg answered by hitting three consecutive threes for Sam Houston, the last giving the Bearkats their first double-digit lead.
- Reggie Miller made a layup late in the half to cut the SHSU lead to four, but the Bearkats made a three just before the half to push their lead back to seven.
- ACU opened the half on a 7-1 run to get within a point of the Bearkats.
- Simmons grabbed an offensive rebound and got the putback with just under nine minutes to play to bring ACU back within one possession of Sam Houston.
- Mahki Morris would make a three on the very next play to tie the game for the Wildcats.
- The game was tied at 60 with just over three minutes left to play and both teams went scoreless for two and a half before Lampley hit a three to give SHSU the lead with 26 seconds left.
- Simmons hit his fourth three of the night to tie the game once again with 16 seconds on the clock.
- Jaden Ray hit a wild shot off the backboard right at the buzzer to give the Bearkats the win.
Stat Pack
- Airion Simmons led the Wildcats with a career-highs in points (22), threes made (4), and tied a career-high for rebounds (10).
- The double-double was Simmons' second of his career, the first was earlier this season at Texas A&M
- Coryon Mason chipped in 19 on the night and also had a career-high four made threes, going a perfect 4-4 from deep.
- The Wildcats were outrebounded 34-25.
- ACU forced 16 turnovers on the night but were only able to score eight points off of those turnovers.
- Freshman Ja'Sean Jackson provided solid minutes off the bench scoring five points on 2-3 shooting.
- The Wildcats played in front of a capacity Teague crowd with a record 1,098 fans in attendance.
Coach Tanner Interview
Up Next
The Wildcats head on the road for possibly their toughest road trip of the season next weekend. ACU will travel to Grand Canyon for a Thursday night matchup before making the quick turnaround to face New Mexico State on Saturday. Both GCU and NMSU are 3-0 to start conference play.
Follow ACU on social media:
Twitter: @ACU_MBB | @ACUsports
Instagram: @acu_mbb | @acusports
Facebook: /acusports
#GoWildcats
