ABILENE – Utah Valley spoiled the Abilene Christian win streak with a 74-67 victory on Saturday but the Wildcats carry a favorable attitude into next week's WAC Tournament in Las Vegas.
"We're disappointed we didn't win and the games are the games," said ACU Head Coach
Brette Tanner. "But we won seven of the last eight and those were against the top half of the league, which tells you we can go into next week and win some games and we plan on trying to do that."
The Wildcats got into some early foul trouble and had to reach into the bench early on but were still playing to win in the final minute.
After falling behind 15-4 in the first four minutes, the Wildcats had made it a three-point game by the midway point of the first half and took a 38-35 lead into the lockers at halftime.
Most of the game's 14 lead changes came in the second half but the Wolverines took the lead for good with 7:50 remaining.
The Cats struggled at the free throw line, leaving behind 10 points, but the bigger concern was UVU's 11 offensive rebounds. That work on the glass led to a 17-6 lead in second-chance points for the Wolverines.
Airion Simmons had a double-double in his final game in Moody Coliseum with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Ali Abdou Dibba added 17 points and
Hunter Jack Madden scored 10.
After the game, ACU honored its seniors and graduates: Simmons,
Cameron Steele,
Aidan Igiehon,
Immanuel Allen and Madden, who has another season of eligibility.
"That's a special group," said Tanner. "They've represented Abilene Christian in a way that everyone would want. It means something to them. I can't thank that group enough for their leadership and everything they've done for us."
The Wildcats will learn of their first-round opponent as soon as games have finished and the league's résumé seeding system has been completed. ACU will play a Wednesday night game.
