ABILENE, Texas – The Wildcats will hit the road for the first time in the 2024 season on Friday as they head to Miami, Florida, to take on the Florida International Panthers.
The Wildcats' first matchup against a Conference USA team comes after a dominant 95-38 win over Southwest (N.M.) to open up the 2024-25 season.
Meanwhile, Florida International also saw a dominant win in their first game on November 4, defeating Florida National, 132-25. The 132 points scored by FIU broke their team's single-game scoring record with the 132 points scored.
The game will stream live on ESPN+, but fans can also keep up with the 'Cats by following the team on X, Instagram, Facebook and acusports.com.
ACU Storylines:
SHARP SHOOTERS: In their first game of the season, the Wildcats finished shooting 42.6 percent from the fires, good for being in the top 100 in the country. The team's 95 points to open the season was ranked 35th in the country.
MAKING HISTORY: The Wildcats only allowed the Mustangs to earn three points in the second quarter of Monday's matchup, breaking the record for fewest points allowed by ACU in a quarter in ACU's Div. I history.
HULL DOMINATION: Sophomore guard Payton Hull, who also was a member of the All-WAC Preseason Team, did not miss a beat in her return to the floor. She posted a conference-best 23 points on the opening day of action while shooting 53.8 from the field and a team-best 57.1 from the 3-point line. Hull also added four rebounds and three assists.
SENIORITY: Senior guard Bella Earle was second in scoring on Monday, finishing the game with 18 points and a team-best 58.3 shooting from the field. She also had a team-best seven rebounds and five assists.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT: Junior guard Natalia Chavez, a transfer from New Mexico, had a strong start to her career as a Wildcats. Chavez scored 16 points, a career-high, in her debut. She shot 54.5 percent from the field and 50 percent from the 3-point line. She also had career highs in field goals made (six), 3-pointers made (three), rebounds (four), steals (three) and minutes (20).
WAC PRESEASON POLL: In the WAC Preseason Pool, the Wildcats were chosen to finish fourth in the nine-team field. The preseason favorite was Grand Canyon, and they were followed by California Baptist and UT Arlington. Ranked below the Wildcats are Southern Utah, Tarleton State, Utah Tech, Utah Valley and Seattle U. Ultimately, all eyes will be toward the WAC tournament, with all nine teams hoping to earn the top prize, a tournament championship and an NCAA tournament bid.
History with Florida International
- FIU leads the series, 1-0
- Current Streak: FIU, 1 win
- Last ACU win: n/a
- Last FIU win: March 20 2021, 78-61
Scouting the Panthers
- The Panthers also started their season strong with an offensive and defensive clinic, defeating Florida National 132-25.
- Head coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley is in her fifth season in the program, holding a 66-60.
- Junior forward Mya Kone led the team with 21 points and 14 rebounds in her first game. She also added three assists and two steals.
- Senior guard Lucia Fleta Robles runs the offense for the Panthers. In her season debut, she had 18 points while shooting 71.4 from the field and 75 percent from the 3-point line.
- Senior forward Bineta Diatta had the first double-double of the season for the Panthers with 16 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
#RowTheBoat #GoWildcats
