ABILENE - Abilene Christian women's basketball improved to 10-0 at home this season with an 82-54 win versus Southern Utah at Moody Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats are off to their hottest start at home since the 2015-16 campaign and, at 5-1, continued their best entrance to conference play since 2019-20.
After a bye, the Wildcats look for their fifth win in a row versus Tarleton State at Moody Coliseum on Saturday, Jan. 24. Former ACU women's basketball players are invited to celebrate Legends of Moody, featuring the Wildcat Diaper Derby, presented by Hendrick Health, at halftime.
ACU moved to a tie atop the Western Athletic Conference standings with California Baptist through the first round of conference action. The Wildcats remained undefeated versus the Thunderbirds in Abilene at 4-0 while notching their 15th consecutive win at Moody Coliseum, the second-longest streak in the program's Division I era.
ACU has held 10 of its last 12 opponents to 60 points or less. Southern Utah landed 17 of 45 shots, including a 3-of-17 showing from long distance.
The Wildcats showcased excellent efficiency throughout the day, connecting on 32 of 62 field goal tries at .516. ACU attempted a season-low 10 three-pointers, but sank six of them for a season-best .600 clip. The Wildcats made 12 of 14 free throws while converting 23 Thunderbird turnovers into 29 points.
ACU doubled up Southern Utah with 52 points in the paint.
Payton Hull led the way with 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting with three assists and three steals.
Erin Woodson stayed hot with 16 points and a team-high nine rebounds and a pair of steals.
Emma Troxell registered her most points since the second game of the season with a 16-point effort, knocking down six of nine shots. She pulled down five boards with three steals.
Natalia Chavez was the final Wildcat in double figures with 11 points at a 5-of-9 mark, while
Breanna Davis dished out four assists.
Southern Utah gained the upper hand through the game's first quarter in taking an 18-17 lead. Troxell chipped in three of ACU's five field goals for seven points. Woodson added four points, each of which came from the charity stripe. The Wildcats held the Thunderbirds to a 1-of-6 showing from beyond the arc.
ACU responded in the second quarter with its most productive offensive showing, outscoring Southern Utah 24-11. Hull came to life with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting while making each of her three free throw attempts. Woodson scored seven points at a 3-of-4 clip to go with four boards. The Wildcats made over half their shots at 10 of 17 en route to a 41-29 edge at the break. They turned 10 Thunderbird turnovers into 14 points.
ACU kept it rolling in the third quarter, outscoring Southern Utah 23-10 to grab a 64-39 lead. Chavez and Hull combined for 13 points while each hitting three of five shots. Hull came away with a couple of steals. Eighteen of the Wildcats' points came in the paint, and they capitalized on six Thunderbird turnovers with eight points. ACU shot 10 of 18 from the field as Southern Utah made just one of seven field goal tries.
The Wildcats stayed hot in knocking down each of their three attempts from three-point range in the fourth quarter. ACU held Southern Utah to a 4-of-15 shooting effort.
Jordyn Coleman was a perfect 3-of-3 for six points in the period.
