STEPHENVILLE – Abilene Christian moved into the finals of the Lou Henson Pod of the CIT after a 73-63 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Tuesday.
Nasir DeGruy got his first start since November and doubled his previous season high with 16 points against the Islanders. DeGruy was 7-of-11 from the field and got the Wildcats off to a strong start in the first half.
Down 8-4, DeGruy scored seven points in a 14-1 ACU run to build an 18-8 lead. AMCC would take the lead late in the half but snatched it back just before halftime and
Kavion McClain scored with three seconds to go for a 36-33 ACU lead.
The Islanders were able to get back in front for a solid chunk of the second half but ACU had yet another run to take the lead for good. The Cats used a 13-2 run to build a 58-47 lead with 7:41 remaining.
The Wildcat lead was never again seriously challenged. McClain dropped in a three-pointer for the largest ACU lead, 73-61, with 1:51 remaining.
Leonardo Bettiol shouldered the weight of the inside game, going for 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Cameron Steele added 10 points and four assists.
ACU shot 50.9 percent from the field for the game.
The Wildcats now face Tarleton State on the Texans' home floor for the Lou Henson Championship at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
