ABILENE - Five Wildcats scored in the double figures as Abilene Christian men's basketball took down New Mexico State 77-69 at Moody Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats capped an unbeaten nonconference slate in Abilene for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign.
The Wildcats have won three games in a row before taking on a pair of Big 12 Conference foes ranked in the nation's top 10 next week. ACU takes on No. 2 Arizona in Tucson, Ariz. on Tuesday, Dec. 16 before facing No. 9 BYU in Provo, Utah on Friday, Dec. 19.
ACU knocked down half its shots at a 25-of-50 clip while limiting New Mexico State to a .375 mark from the field. The Wildcats hit eight of 17 three-point tries at 47.1%, their best performance from long distance of the season. They sank 19 of 23 free throws, their most makes of the season, with 14 coming in the second half.
The Wildcats grabbed a 35-27 halftime lead and matched the Aggies' 42 second-half points to hold on for the win.
Cbo Newton fueled ACU's offense with a season-high 17 points and two steals, marking his first time leading the Wildcats in scoring this year. He connected on six of eight field goal tries with a 3-of-5 showing from beyond the arc. Newton scored 15 points in the second half across 13 minutes
Bradyn Hubbard and
Yaniel Rivera scored 16 and 13 points, respectively, while combining to make each of their 12 free throws. Neither player turned the ball over, with Rivera dishing out four assists.
Joseph Venzant and
Rich Smith tallied 10 points apiece as they each scored at a 4-of-5 clip. Venzant added a pair of steals, while
Joseph Scott brought down eight rebounds.
