COMMERCE, Texas - The ACU men's basketball surrendered a 7-point halftime lead in a 68-67 loss at East Texas A&M on Wednesday afternoon.
The game was decided in the final minute.
Nasir DeGruy found
Quion Williams on an alley-oop dunk to tie the score 67-all with 14 seconds remaining. After a timeout, the Lions ran down the floor and drove inside where DeGruy stumbled and was called for a foul.
ETAMU's leading scorer Scooter Williams, Jr. missed the first free throw, and his second attempt spun around the rim twice before falling through for the one-point edge. With no timeouts left, ACU had to go the length of the floor in 1.9 seconds. A half-court heave from DeGruy fell short, though it appeared a Lions player blocked the shot as it descended toward the hoop.
The officials momentarily discussed the play but ruled there was no goaltending violation and the game over.
ACU dropped to 7-5 on the season with three nonconference games remaining.
KEY POINTS
- ACU held East Texas A&M to just 20 points at halftime. It was the fifth time in 12 games this season the Wildcats have allowed 27 points or fewer in the first half (17 vs. McMurry, 25 vs. Texas State, 19 at Omaha, 27Â vs. Hard-Simmons).
- After missing last Saturday's lopsided win over Hardin-Simmons, Quion Williams returned to action and led the Wildcats with 17 points. He also dished out 7 assists, which tied his season-high.
- Leonardo Bettiol scored in double-figures for the eighth consecutive game, and the tenth time overall this season.
- ETAMUÂ took the lead on a driving layup with 9:41 left in the second half. ACU tied the game four different times, but never regained the lead from that point on.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats return to Moody Coliseum for their final game before Christmas. ACU hosts Texas Southern on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Fans will have the chance to meet and take pictures with Santa Claus. There will be holiday-themed promotions during the game, and everyone who buys a ticket will be in the running to win a JBL speaker.
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