Cats Rally in Second Half for Victory

ST THOMAS, V.I. – Abilene Christian overcame a double-figure deficit to pin a 77-71 loss on San Jose State on the first day of the Paradise Jam on Friday.
 
The Spartans finished the first half on a 15-9 run to take a 43-33 halftime lead.
 
Still down nine early in the second half, ACU tied the score on a 9-0 run, including four points by Airion Simmons and a three-pointer by Hunter Jack Madden. Ali Abdou Dibba hit a jumper to tie the game at 52-52 with 12:09 remaining in the game.
 
After a few more ties and lead changes, Dibba scored on a layup with 45 seconds left for a 73-71 lead. The ACU defense prevailed from there, forcing a turnover and a pair of missed three-pointers. The Cats were up to the task at the free throw line with Hunter and Dibba each landing a pair of free throws for the final margin.
 
With the win, ACU gets Saturday off and plays Fordham at 4:15 p.m., Central, on Sunday.
 
Madden, who was four-for-four on his three-point attempts, led the Cats with 22 points. Simmons added 17, Dibba scored 11 and Cameron Steele added 10. Madden also had nine rebounds and the team's lone steal of the game.
 
Kavion McClain had a selfless five assists and no turnovers while Nasir DeGruy picked up four assists.