by HAMMOND, La. – The three-game road trip came to a close Saturday afternoon, and ACU came away with a big win against Southeastern Louisiana at the University Center. The Wildcats (20-5, 12-4 SLC) swept the Lady Lions by hanging on to win6, 68-62, scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter to do so. The win secures ACU’s fourth 20-win campaign in the last five seasons. With four games to play in the regular season, the win helps their chances in the Southland Conference as well.
Southland Significance
- With SFA falling to UIW in San Antonio on Saturday, ACU moved a full game back of three teams: SFA, Sam Houston State, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. All three are tied at 13-3 for first place in the league.
- ACU still plays both Sam and SFA in the final four games of the season.
Saturday’s Turning Point: The fourth-quarter efficiency.
- Despite building a nine-point lead in the third quarter, SLU got the score to 47-44 ACU at the end of the period. The fourth quarter, however, was a different story.
- ACU scored 21 in the frame on an impressive 9-of-14 shooting from the floor, and only attempted two shots from behind the arc (1-2). Southeastern, on the other hand, attempted 17 shots, 10 of which were three-pointers, and only converted on three of them.
- Dominique Golightly (Kiowa) took over the fourth, scoring 10 of her 15 points and hitting five shots inside.
- Leading 57-54, Breanna Wright hit a huge three to give herself 20 points in the game at the 5:01 mark to put ACU up two possessions, and the team did not look back, holding on to win by six.
Key Plays
- ACU wanted to get off to a good start. Mission accomplished. Lexie Ducat won the opening tip, scored on a layup inside, and Golightlly hit a triple seconds later to go up 5-0 in a blink.
- Anna McLeod hit a three-pointer with 56 seconds left in the first quarter to put ACU up 17-14 at the end of the period.
- With 47 seconds left in the first half, the Wildcats trailed 31-27, but Ducat took a terrific pass from Madi Miller and scored to put the visitors down two points at halftime.
- Brea Wright went on a 5-0 run herself in the early moments of the third quarter, scoring off a steal in transition, then hitting a three-pointer. The senior was red-hot through three quarters Saturday.
- Makayla Mabry hit a three-pionter in the third to put the ‘Cats up nine points, and seconds later Madi Miller would drive left and score on a layup to recapture that nine-point advantage.
- There was a key travel call on Southeastern Louisiana in the second half. After the ball was lose on the floor, SLU’s Morgan Carrier dove on the floor to grab the ball was rolled on the floor with the ball and was called for the travel. Moments later, Wright hit a three-pointer to put ACU up six points, 60-54.
Stat Pack
- ACU earned its 20th win of the season; the Wildcats have accomplished that feat five times in the Julie Goodenough era (eight seasons).
- The Wildcats trailed at halftime, 31-29. The win Saturday improved ACU to 3-4 when trailing through the game’s first 20 minutes.
- Breanna Wright scored 20 points or more for the ninth time this season; the Jarrell native hit 8-of-12 shots and drained three triples.
- Golightly added 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
