ABILENE, Texas — A performance for the ages from
Airion Simmons was the catalyst in the Wildcats fifth-straight win on Saturday afternoon. The junior set a new career-high in points in the first half alone as he went for 24 as well as nine rebounds in the first 20 minutes. Simmons would go on to finish with 31 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals in the Wildcats 83-66 win over UTRGV.
Key Plays
- Simmons scored the first seven points for the Wildcats with two layups and a three from the top of the key.
- Damien Daniels and Ja'Sean Jackson hit back-to-back threes to push ACU to an early 15-6 lead.
- Reggie Miller found a cutting Tobias Cameron in the paint to give the Wildcats their first double-digit lead, 20-10.
- After the Vaqueros cut the Wildcats lead to 10 with 7:06 in the first half, the Wildcats answered with an 8-0 run over nearly five minutes of action to hold an 18-point lead with 2:20 left in the half.
- Jackson hit a mid-range jumper with three second left on the clock to give ACU the 16-point lead at the half.
- Coryon Mason hit an open three just a couple minutes into the second half to give ACU their largest lead so far at 20 points.
- After UTRGV cut the lead to 13, Simmons hit his second three of the game to push ACU's lead back to 16.
- Immanuel Allen hit an open wing three to give ACU a 21-point lead with 6:26 left to play.
Stat Pack
- Simmons' career-night was one for the record books as well. His 31 points ties for the third-most points in a single game in ACU's DI history. He is the first Wildcat to score 30-plus since Harrison Hawkins at Lamar on Jan. 31, 2015.
- Simmons also broke the DI record for field goals in a game with 13, breaking the previous record of 12 set by Julian Edmondson and Jalone Friday.
- Simmons' 14 rebounds was the fifth-best mark in ACU's DI history.
- Reggie Miller had four steals to lead ACU, it was his fifth-time this season with four or more steals.
- The Wildcats forced 24 turnovers and totaled 12 steals. The team has forced 20-plus turnovers and had 10-plus steals in 15 games this season.
- ACU held the 40-24 advantage on points in the paint and a 34-26 advantage in bench scoring.
- Despite losing, the Vaqueros had a major advantage at the free throw line going 24-34 while the Wildcats were just 9-15 at the line.
- The Wildcats dished out 23 assists on 33 made field goals to match their highest assist total against a DI opponent this season.
Coach and Player Interviews
Up Next
The Wildcats will have a full week to prepare for their next contest as they travel to Tarleton for the first of two matchups with the Texans on the season. The team will tip-off in Stephenville next Saturday at 7 p.m.
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