LAS VEGAS — The Wildcats men's basketball team had their season come to an end on Tuesday afternoon following a 69-62 loss to California Baptist. The Lancers got out to a quick start in the first half and held as much as a 14-point lead but ACU never let down throughout the game. The Wildcats were able to cut the CBU lead to as little as five with just under two minutes to play, but the Lancers answered with a couple of big buckets and clutch free throws to hold on for the win.
Key Plays
- CBU got out to a quick start leading 7-2 at the first media timeout.
- The Wildcats answered with a 6-0 run capped by a Hunter Jack Madden layup to give the Wildcats their first and only lead of the game at 8-7.
- Back-to-back threes from CBU pushed their lead back to four with 10:38 in the first half.
- Leonardo Bettiol entered the game and hit back-to-back shots to keep the Wildcats within six points.
- Damien Daniels hit a three with just over five minutes to play in the first half to get ACU within four.
- The Lancers stretched their lead to nine with just under two minutes to play in the first half, ACU closed the half on a 5-2 run to cut the halftime deficit to six points.
- CBU opened the second half with a layup and a three to push their lead to double digits.
- Daniels grabbed a rebound and went the length of the floor for the fastbreak layup to get back within 12 after CBU opened their largest lead at 14 points.
- Daniels hit another layup in transition and drew the foul to complete the three-point play and cut CBU's lead to eight.
- Hunter Jack Madden cut the deficit to six points with a bucket in the paint with just under five minutes to play.
- Madden intercepted a pass with 47 seconds to play and fed Immanuel Allen for the layup to cut the lead to four.
- The Wildcats had a few good look at the basket late, but were unable to convert.
Stat Pack
- Daniels completed his illustrious career as a Wildcat with a phenomenal performance. He scored 16 points, had six assists, two rebounds and a steal.
- Madden nearly had a double-double with 11 points and a career-high eight rebounds.
- The Lancers had a major advantage at the free throw line, going 17-27 while ACU went 6-9.
- The Wildcats did win the turnover battle, 16-12, and had the slight advantage in points off turnovers, 17-10.
- Airion Simmons did a little bit of everything with six assists, five points, and five rebounds.
- Damien Daniels and Tobias Cameron will leave ACU as the winningest players in program history. The two were part of four consecutive 20-win seasons and put together a record of 109-51 in 160 total games. Daniels appeared in all 160 games during his career.
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