SEATTLE — Abilene Christian went on the road and upset second-place Seattle U to move to 12-11 on the year and 4-6 in conference play. The two teams went back-and-forth in a high-scoring first half with the Redhawks holding a 49-44 lead at the break. ACU came out of the locker room on a mission as they opened the half on a 10-0 run and were clicking on both ends of the floor. SU kept it close through the first 10 minutes of the second half, but a
Damien Daniels three at the top of the key gave ACU the 59-58 lead with 11:42 to play and the Wildcats never trailed again. Seattle got within three after a technical free throw following a flop call against ACU and the Wildcats answered with a 12-0 run to put the game away.
Key Plays
- Joe Pleasant opened the scoring for the Wildcats with a corner three off a feed from Tobias Cameron.
- Airion Simmons grabbed an offensive board and hit a three at the top of the key to put ACU in front 16-10.
- Simmons found Pleasant in the corner for his third three of the night to give the Wildcats their largest lead of the first half, 26-18.
- A three from the Redhawks with 5:37 to play in the first half gave them their first lead of the game since 2-0.
- A foul by the Wildcats with 0.1 on the clock in the first half sent SU to the line for two free throws to push the halftime lead to 49-44.
- Leonardo Bettiol came in for an injured Simmons and scored six quick points to help ACU to a 10-0 run to open the second half.
- Daniels hit a three at the top of the key with just under 12 minutes to play to put ACU in front for good, 59-58.
- Simmons returned to the game and made a driving layup to kickstart a 12-0 run by the Wildcats over a four-minute stretch.
- Daniels drove the lane and kicked the ball to a crashing Pleasant who put down an emphatic dunk with 1:19 to play.
Stat Pack
- Pleasant matched his career-high with 24 points, he had 16 in the first half. It is just the second time in his career that he made three or more threes in a game.
- Daniels has scored in double figures in three of the last four games. He also has back-to-back games with at least 15 points, six rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
- Ja'Sean Jackson had his first double-digit scoring outing since November and added six rebounds as well.
- Simmons filled up the stat sheet with nine points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
- ACU held the advantage in points off turnovers, 14-5, and points in the paint, 44-32.
- The Wildcats handed the Redhawks their first home loss of the year.
Up Next
ACU will continue their West coast swing as they head to southern California to match up with the Lancers of California Baptist on Saturday night. CBU is coming off of a narrow loss to Southern Utah and the Wildcats will be looking for their fourth win in five games. The game will tip at 9 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
