STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Much like the game in Abilene, the Wildcats and Texans faced off in a low scoring affair. Tarleton led just 28-27 at the half despite ACU having a scoreless stretch of over seven minutes. The Wildcats were able to take an early lead in the second half, but another solid scoring stretch for the Texans allowed them to open up as much as 14-point lead in the second half. Abilene Christian got within six points with just over a minute and a half to play, but the Texans put the game away at the free throw line to remain undefeated at home.
Key Plays
- Cameron Steele hit a three in transition to give the Wildcats an early 5-4 lead, four minutes into the game.
- The Wildcats took their largest lead of the first half, 11-5, on a layup from Leonardo Bettiol.
- The Texans held the Wildcats scoreless for over seven minutes, the Wildcats went 0-4 at the free throw line in that stretch, and Tarleton stretched their lead to 21-11.
- Tobias Cameron broke the scoring drought with a three at the top of the key off a feed from Ali Dibba.
- The Wildcats retook the lead momentarily on a putback layup from Immanuel Allen with just under a minute to play in the first half.
- ACU took a short lead after scoring the first three points of the half, but an 11-0 run put the Texans up 47-36 with 12 minutes to play.
- Immanuel Allen cut the Texan lead to 10 with a corner three off a feed from Airion Simmons.
- On the Wildcats next offensive play, Joe Pleasant converted the traditional three-point play to get within single digits.
- Allen would get the Wildcats within six points with a layup off an offensive rebound with 1:36 to play, but the Texans were able to seal the game at the free throw line.
Stat Pack
- Joe Pleasant had one of his most complete games of the season, registering his first double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
- After shooting 85 percent from the free throw line last time out, the Wildcats went just 10-21 from the charity stripe today.
- The Wildcats held the 8-6 advantage on turnovers at the half, but the Texans won the battle in the second half and came away with the 13-12 turnover advantage for the game.
- Allen and Dibba led the Wildcats in scoring with 14 points each, Allen added six rebounds and Dibba had four rebounds and two assists.
- This was the first loss the Wildcats have had to the Texans in the DI era and snaps a four-game win streak in the series for ACU.
Up Next
ACU will continue their road swing next Wednesday as they head to Utah Valley for a matchup with one of the top teams in the conference. The game will tip at 7 p.m. CT and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Follow ACU on social media:
Twitter:
@ACU_MBB |
@ACUsports
Instagram:
@acu_mbb |
@acusports
Facebook:
/ACUWildcatMensBasketball |
/ACUSports
#GoWildcats | #TougherTogether
