ABILENE, Texas — The Wildcats faced their first big challenge of the 2024-25 season on Saturday and ultimately fell to the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 79-56.
Both teams heading into the matchup were 1-0 after their opening game of the season. Middle Tennessee came into the game ranked fourth in the Conference USA preseason standing while ACU came in as the underdog being seventh in the WAC standings this year.
That's a really good basketball team, they're an old team with a lot of returners," head coach Brette Tanner said. "That's what I was worried about because with older teams is composure. With younger teams and newer teams, the composure is usually not there early in the year. And I think we lost it. You know we lost our composure a little bit. Our guys are trying and it's a process. I think we have a really good basketball team, but it's going to take some time for us to fully develop."
Despite the loss, The Wildcats started the game on a 6-0 run, gaining their first and only lead of the game. The Blue Raiders responded with a 13-0 run of their own to go up 20-10 with 11:21 in the first half and ultimately went to the locker room with a 44-30 lead.
In the first half, the Wildcats shot 44 percent from the field, 33 percent from the 3-point line, and were perfect from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Middle Tennessee finished the half shooting 61.3 percent from the field and 60 percent from the 3-point line. ACU won the rebounding battle in the first half, outrebounding the Blue Raiders 16-11 but ultimately lost the turnover battle in the first half, having 13 turnovers to the Blue Raiders' seven.
As for the second half, the Wildcats started strong on a quick 6-2 run, but the Blue Raiders and their experienced roster took back control quickly. MTSU shot 41 percent from the field while ACU shot 33 percent, with neither team making a single 3-pointer. ACU was able to turn the tides in the turnover battle, having only six to MTSU's eight turnovers.
ACU finished shooting the game shooting 39 percent from the field while MTSU finished shooting 52 percent. The Wildcats were also down in 3-point shooting, only having two to MTSU's six. Another stat that impacted the 'Cats were steals and points off turnovers, where ACU faced an eight to 14 deficit and a 14 to 24 deficit.
"They forced many turnovers, but we also just handed the ball over a few times early, and that's how that's allowed them to get back in the game and then extend the game a little bit. We started both halves great and I saw some positive things and some people out there. But we got to take care of the basketball and we've got to take better shots moving forward."
Eleven Wildcats scored in the matchup, with Joseph Venzant leading the 'Cats. Venzant was the only player on ACU scoring in double digits, finishing with 10 points while adding a team-best six rebounds.
"He's our Energizer bunny, we can't wear him down even though he played 30 minutes," Tanner said. "He doesn't do anything outside of his strength. He grabs rebounds. He's a he's a good defender. He knows his strengths and weaknesses, and that's what we need to tell these other guys to start figuring out and using their strengths."
Dontrez Williams led the team with two blocks in his second game in his collegiate career. Williams also added two steals, tied for a team-best with Nasir DeGruy.
The Wildcats will continue their four-game homestead on Tuesday, taking on cross-town rival McMurry.
"They run a good program and they got good players. The main focus for us is to take care of the basketball, on the basketball side of it, and find a way and try some things too. The biggest thing is to come out and play with confidence and we will get this bad taste in our mouth out. And then get ready for, you know, another game this weekend. We need everybody to show up and support these guys because they're working hard. It didn't turn out the way we want to tonight, but I promise you, these guys are going to come out Tuesday and they're gonna play their tails off."
The game on Tuesday, November 12 will begin at 6 p.m., with the game airing on ESPN+ and 101.7 FM, The Patriot. If fans can't watch the game in person or stream it, fans can follow the game on X, Facebook, Instagram or acusports.com.
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