ABILENE - The ACU men's basketball team tipped off its 2025-26 campaign with a 92-55 victory over Division III member and crosstown foe McMurry on Monday night.
The victory pushes the Wildcats to an 11-2 record in season-opening games since the move to Division I athletics in 2013.
ACU had four players with double-digit point totals, led by
Joseph Scott's 16 points. Scott also grabbed 17 rebounds, which is the most for a Wildcat in a single-game since Jaren Lewis brought down 20 missed shots on Feb. 7, 2018, against Nicholls. The Wildcats dominated off the glass with a 56-32 rebounding advantage over the War Hawks.
Preseason All-WAC player Braydin Hubbard came off the bench to add 15 points, while sophomore returner
Christian Alston chipped in 11. Transfer
Zy Wright dropped in 13 points including two makes from behind the 3-point arc.
Point guard
Rich Smith did not reach double-digits with eight points, but also dished out six assists, had four rebounds, and recorded three steals.
ACU led for much of the first half by 10-11 points which was sparked by a 12-0 run. Up by 19 points at halftime, the Wildcats outscored McMurry 51-33 in the second frame.
Redshirt senior
Joseph Venzant played his first game since suffering an injury which cut his 2024-25 season short after just eight games. Venzant -- a husband and a father -- scored six points with two boards and one assist.
UP NEXT
ACU's three-game homestand to kickoff the year continues Thursday with the Omaha Mavericks, who are the defensing Summit League champions and made the NCAA Division I Tournament for the first time in program history.
Thursday's game is
Moody Madness, presented by Alon DK. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. at Moody Coliseum.Â
Â
