Tuesday, December 2
Malibu, CA
8 p.m. (CT)
Abilene Christian
6-3,0-0WAC
71
at
63
Pepperdine
3-6,0-0WCC
1
2
F
Abilene Christian
35
36
71
Pepperdine
28
35
63
Photo by: Aly Bayliss
Full Team Effort Springboards ACU to Win at Pepperdine
12/2/2025 10:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MALIBU, Calif. - The ACU men's basketball team used a dominating performance by bench players to push ahead and hold off Pepperdine in a 71-63 win Tuesday night.
The Wildcats (6-3 overall) outscored the Waves 28-11 in bench points, including 19-4 in the first half. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Cbo Newton put ACU in front 21-10 ten minutes into the game. Although Pepperdine cut the deficit to one multiple times, the Wildcats never relinquished their lead.
ACU then began the second half on a 16-6 run and opened its edge to as much as 21 by the 6:45 mark.
Stat Pack
Up Next
The Wildcats begin an incredibly challenging stretch which has them hosting New Mexico State on Saturday at 3 p.m., and then visiting No. 2 Arizona on Dec. 16, and No. 9 BYU on Dec. 19.
ACU's game against the Aggies will serve as the program's annual Christmas Slam game, presented by Chick-Fil-A North Abilene.
The Wildcats (6-3 overall) outscored the Waves 28-11 in bench points, including 19-4 in the first half. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Cbo Newton put ACU in front 21-10 ten minutes into the game. Although Pepperdine cut the deficit to one multiple times, the Wildcats never relinquished their lead.
ACU then began the second half on a 16-6 run and opened its edge to as much as 21 by the 6:45 mark.
Stat Pack
- The Wildcats trailed for just 1:43 of game time, and were in front for a shade over 35 minutes.
- Six players scored at least 7 points, including three who came off the bench: Rich Smith (10 points), Cbo Newton (8) and Joseph Scott (7).
- Bradyn Hubbard was held scoreless in the first half while sitting with foul trouble, but rebounded nicely to finish with 15 points.
- Rich Smith had 10 points and tied a season-high with 6 assists. It is his sixth game in 2025 with at least five assists.
- Yaniel Rivera set a new career-high by sinking four 3-pointers to finish with 14 points. It is the third time in his ACU career that Rivera has scored in double-digits.
Up Next
The Wildcats begin an incredibly challenging stretch which has them hosting New Mexico State on Saturday at 3 p.m., and then visiting No. 2 Arizona on Dec. 16, and No. 9 BYU on Dec. 19.
ACU's game against the Aggies will serve as the program's annual Christmas Slam game, presented by Chick-Fil-A North Abilene.
Team Stats
ACU
PEP
FG%
.442
.422
3FG%
.364
.353
FT%
.739
.760
RB
29
27
TO
8
11
STL
8
2
Game Leaders
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
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/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
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