OREM, UT - Transfers
Bradyn Hubbard and
Quion Williams scored 16 points apiece, but ACU's offensive woes continued as the Wildcats lost their conference opener, 64-53 at Utah Valley on Saturday afternoon.
Hubbard and Williams, who are both playing their first seasons at ACU, also each grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. It was Williams' ninth straight game scoring in double figures while Hubbard's last double-digit outing was Nov. 25 vs. Southern Miss.
The Wildcats shot a season-worst 32% for the game, including 1-of-10 on 3-point attempts. ACU has finished with a field goal percentage in the 30s three consecutive games (36.5% at Texas A&M, 37.3% vs. Stephen F. Austin). Heading into Saturday's game the Wildcats had a 46.1% shooting average.
The loss drops ACU to 8-8 overall and 0-1 in the WAC. The Wolverines earned their fifth straight win over the Wildcats, and improved to 9-6 this season and 1-0 in conference.
KEY POINTS
- ACU forced 17 Utah Valley turnovers, but could not cash in on those mistakes. The Wildcats only scored six points off Wolverine turnovers, while UVU had 16 points from ACU's 19 turnovers.
- Coming off a career-high game on Tuesday with 27 points, Leonardo Bettiol went 0-for-5 from the field, was weighed down with fouls, and finished with just one point on Saturday.
- Four of Bradyn Hubbard's seven rebounds were on the offensive side. ACU led UVU in second chance points, 13-6.
- While the Wildcats held their own down low in the first half, the Wolverines scored 24 second-half points in the paint compared to ACU's 12.
- Hunter Jack Madden made his 50th consecutive start on Saturday. Madden has played and started every game of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats are among three WAC teams who have a bye on Thursday, so their next game is not until Saturday, Jan. 11 at Seattle U. Tip-off will be at 9 p.m. CT. The teams split their two-game series last season with the home team winning each time.
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