HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Sophomore
Taylor Morgan had a career game, four players scored in double figures, and the short-handed Abilene Christian women's basketball team had one of its most impressive wins Saturday afternoon against the Sam Houston Bearkats. ACU was without three starters and three of their top four scorers, and still came through with a 70-59 victory over Sam Houston. It is the fourth consecutive win as the Wildcats are off to a 3-0 start in WAC play, and did it after having three people practice at a time throughout the course of the week due to COVID-19 protocols. ACU then went to Huntsville and got the biggest win of the season.
Turning Point: Pushing the lead to eight points in the third quarter.
The game was tied at halftime, and ACU came out of the gate strong, outscoring Sam Houston 18-10 in the period. And the biggest difference was when ACU took a four-point lead and stretched it to eight, 46-38, when Morgan converted on a layup and
Emma Middleton hit a couple free throws. Middleton and Morgan were a big reason the lead also got stretched to 50-42, and then
Tatum Barber scored inside to lead 52-42 with 30 seconds left.
Key Plays
- 1Q | Morgan set the tone with the first points of the game to go up 2-0. Morgan and Barber were then clutch to push the lead 7-2 in the first 2:30 of the game.
- 1Q | ACU trailed for the first time, 14-13, but in the final seconds of the quarter, freshman
Bella Earle scored on a layup to lead 15-14 after one.
- 2Q | Down two early in the second, Morgan hit a three to go back up 18-17.
- 2Q | Morgan hit a three halfway through the quarter to push the lead to 27-20, the largest lead of the game to that point.
- 3Q | Morgan and
Madi Miller scored the first four points of the game with layups to take command of the period. ACU set the tone and would not surrender the lead.
- 4Q | After Sam Houston cut it to eight to end the third quarter, Barber hit a jumper right away in the fourth to go right back up 10, 54-44.
- 4Q |
Madi Miller was clutch multiple times in a row. Each time Sam Houston cut the lead to nine, Miller responded with tough takes in the paint to increase the lead to 11 each time.
Stat Pack
- Morgan tallied a career-high with 21 points, and she added seven rebounds as well to go with a pair of assists. Morgan got the start at point guard with
Kamryn Mraz out due to COVID-19.
- Barber recorded a season-best 17 points and added seven boards too. The grad transfer added three helpers as well.
- Miller added 17 with our boards and two assists.
- Middleton was dynamic in the paint, making the start with
Sarah Griswold out due to COVID-19, and scored 10 points with five rebounds and three big blocks.
- ACU out-rebounded Sam Houston 40-34, and forced 14 Bearkat turnovers.
Up Next
ACU will wrap up the unique weekend with a matchup in Nacogdoches, Texas against SFA on Monday, Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. The game will air on ESPN+ and 102.7 The Bear.
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