ST. GEORGE, Utah -
Meredith Mayes matched her career-high of 24 points to power Abilene Christian women's basketball to a 71-60 win over Utah Tech at Burns Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats concluded their three-game road trip to return to the win column at 17-10 and improve to 6-6 in Western Athletic Conference action.
ACU knocked down 48.3% of its shots from the field and a third of its three-pointers to complete the season sweep of the Trailblazers. Mayes made 11 field goals, a career best, on 13 attempts with six rebounds.
Emma Troxell added 16 points of her own with six boards, and
Erin Woodson recorded 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting with a trio of three-pointers. She tallied seven rebounds to go with a pair of blocks.
Bella Earle tallied a team-high nine rebounds and eight assists, as well as a career-high five steals. The Wildcats forced 19 Trailblazer turnovers and turned them into 21 points.
Emily Isaacson powered Utah Tech with 22 points at a 8-of-20 clip, including six three-pointers. Paige Cofer complemented her with 13 points and a team-high eight boards. Chardonnay Hartley was the final Trailblazer in double figures with 11 points and eight assists.
Utah Tech captured the early lead over ACU with an 18-13 lead after the first quarter. The Trailblazers sank six three-pointers compared to the Wildcats' 1-of-8 clip from deep.
ACU flipped the script in the second quarter, making 11 of 19 field goal attempts with a 4-of-8 mark from long range to lead 40-30 at halftime. Conversely, Utah Tech went just 4 of 13 in the quarter with seven turnovers from four Wildcat steals.
Hot shooting took over in the third quarter, as the Trailblazers bounced back to outscore the Wildcats, 22-21. Both squads scored at least 60% of their shots, with ACU knocking them down at a 9-of-13 clip. It nailed 3 of 5 three-pointers, while Utah Tech hit each of its four tries from deep.
In contrast, the fourth quarter was all about defense. Both teams registered a 3-of-13 mark and combined to go 1-of-9 on three-pointers. The Wildcats narrowly outscored the Trailblazers, 10-8, thanks to four free throws.
ACU returns to Moody Coliseum for a two-game swing in Abilene. It hosts Tarleton State at 6 p.m. Thursday for Mentor Day, presented by First Financial. The Wildcats then take on UT Arlington on March 1 for Senior Day.
