ARLINGTON — ACU head coach Brette Tanner reflected on his team’s recent performance, admitting they struggled during their last game against Tarleton State, where they lost by 15 points. He mentioned that the second half of that game might have shaken their confidence.
But on Saturday, the Wildcats bounced back at the College Park Center. They started strong, held off a grueling comeback from UT-Arlington, and secured a hard-fought 70-59 win in the Western Athletic Conference.
Now, with two games left in the regular season, the Wildcats hold a record of 15-14 overall and 7-7 in the WAC, tied for third place with Tarleton State. The standings are tight, with Cal Baptist and Seattle not far behind. Every game is crucial as teams jostle for position.
ACU will end the regular season next week at home. They face the league-leading Utah Valley on Thursday and then take on second-place Grand Canyon on Saturday. Winning both games could guarantee ACU a top-four seed in the upcoming postseason tournament in Las Vegas, while a split could still secure a spot. However, two losses might leave them struggling for a favorable position.
During the game against UTA, ACU built a comfortable 14-point lead early on. The Mavericks fought back, narrowing the gap to just four points at one point. At halftime, the Wildcats were up by nine, leading 32-23. They rushed out with the first five points of the second half but found themselves in a tough battle as UTA clawed back and tied the game at 54-54.
In the final minutes, ACU took control again. Bradyn Hubbard hit a crucial three-pointer, giving the Wildcats a 59-56 lead. They maintained that edge, with Rich Smith and Quion Williams sealing the deal with key baskets and free throws. ACU hit 19 out of 21 free throws, a significant improvement over their season average.
UTA struggled with shooting throughout the game, managing only 41% from the field and a dismal 20% from beyond the arc. They faltered even more in the final moments, and ACU’s strong defensive strategies played a big part in that decline.
All five Wildcat starters contributed significantly, with Hubbard leading the team with 18 points. Williams added 13, while Hunter Jack Madden, Bettiol, and Smith rounded out the scoring with solid performances. Smith also stood out with nine assists, playing a crucial role in the team’s success.
After this victory, the Wildcats are in a strong position to challenge for a top seed in the tournament. Tanner praised his team’s resilience, noting that they could have faltered after losing their earlier lead. Now, they turn their focus to the upcoming games against strong opponents, ready to compete for their goals.
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