Wildcats Host Omaha for Moody Madness on Thursday

The Abilene Christian men's basketball team continues its season-opening, three-game homestand by hosting the Omaha Mavericks on Thursday night for Moody Madness, presented by Alon DK. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.

The Wildcats defeated crosstown foe McMurry, 92-55 in the season lid-lifter on Monday night. Transfer Joseph Scott led the way with 16 points and 17 rebounds -- the most by an ACU player in a single game since Jaren Lewis' 20 boards vs. Nicholls in Feb. 2018. Scott was also 7-of-10 from the field, and 2-for-2 at the free throw line.

"That's him working. He's getting rebounds outside of his area, and that's what we recruited him to do," ACU head coach Brette Tanner said. "We've played behind closed doors twice, and he's done that in those games, too. That's who he is. We need him to do that if we're going to be any good."

Three other Wildcats had double-digit scoring totals: Bradyn Hubbard with 15, Zy Wright with 13, and Christian Alston with 11. Point guard Rich Smith dished out six assists and had three steals -- both team-highs. 

Joseph Venzant was back on the court for the first time since December 2024 at Baylor where he suffered an injury which ended his season after just eight games. Venzant had six points and two rebounds in 20 minutes of play.

"First game, my arm didn't come out of place so that's a big deal," joked Venzant. "When you have an injury and are out for a long time you recognize you might have taken the game for granted. It's been really good to be back on the court with the guys."

Omaha was picked to finish second in the Summit League preseason coaches poll. The Mavericks won the league's regular season and tournament titles last season for the first time in program history. Omaha went 22-13 overall with a 13-3 mark in The Summit, ultimately losing in round one of the NCAA Tournament to second-seeded St. John's.

"It's going to be higher intensity than [Monday night]," said Tanner of Thursday's matchup. "They're good, and they're going to want come in here to turn the page. They're going to be hungry, so we need to be hungrier."

ACU defeated the Mavs in Omaha 71-55 last November. The Wildcats led by 20 points at halftime with Omaha shooting just 36% for the game. Leonardo Bettiol paced ACU with 19 points. 

Omaha began this season with an 85-77 loss against Murray State in Sioux Falls, S.D.

"We need as many people in the stands Thursday night in Moody," said Tanner. "We need to rally the troops and make it loud because we're definitely going to need it."