Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • Classifieds
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Sports / Wildcats win; coach displeased: Pleasant: ACU needed more intensity in season-opening win

Wildcats win; coach displeased: Pleasant: ACU needed more intensity in season-opening win

November 19, 2003 by Joel Weckerly

By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor

The men’s basketball team may have whipped visiting opponent Texas-Permian Basin, 96-75, Saturday in its regular season opener, but head coach Klint Pleasant wasn’t impressed.

“I was very displeased with our effort,” the second-year coach said. “We didn’t play with much energy. I don’t know if it was a mental lapse coming off the Toledo game or what. We made our typical early-season mistakes, and that combined with the lack of intensity was disappointing.”

ACU (1-0) turned the ball over 22 times in the game and shot just 46 percent (32 for 70) from the floor, including 24 percent (5 for 21) from three-point range. The Cats were also shaky from the free throw line, shooting 48 percent (27 for 56) in the win.

“It almost felt like there was a bubble over the basket,” Pleasant said of the foul shooting. “Unfortunately, there’s going to be nights like that where the ball won’t fall in the basket.”

However, the Wildcats held the Falcons (0-5) to just 36 percent shooting from the floor, 31 percent from three-point range and forced 25 turnovers.

“My expectations are pretty high,” Pleasant said. “On the stat sheet, we weren’t too bad. Maybe that’s a good sign this early in the season.”

Junior guard David Baxter, a transfer from Division I University of Detroit, made an impressive debut in a Wildcats jersey Saturday, leading all scorers with 23 points while shooting 4-of-9 from beyond the 3-point arc.

Senior forward Tucker Pierson returned to usual form, chipping in 15 points while leading all rebounders with 14. Senior guard Cliff Green added 14 points and five assists, while newcomer Atiba Alexander-a freshman transfer from David Lipscomb-recorded 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Pleasant said UTPB-which only had two scorers in double figures-had far too many second-chance offensive rebounds (16), a statistic he wants to minimize this season.

“We did a pretty good job in the first half of keeping them from getting second shots,” Pleasant said, “but I thought we gave up too many in the second half (12).”

The Wildcats return to action Friday and Saturday at their own Quality Inn-ACU Tip-off Classic, beginning with a 6 p.m. game Friday against Paul Quinn.

“I’ve already stressed [my displeasure] to the team,” Pleasant said. “We have four days to get after it in practice.”

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: Men's Basketball

Other Sports:

  • Wildcats face major struggles in first ever UAC matchup

  • ACU sweeps Seattle University in WAC opener

  • Wildcats look to bounce back in first-ever UAC game

About Joel Weckerly

You are here: Home / Sports / Wildcats win; coach displeased: Pleasant: ACU needed more intensity in season-opening win

Other Sports:

  • Wildcats face major struggles in first ever UAC matchup

  • ACU sweeps Seattle University in WAC opener

  • Wildcats look to bounce back in first-ever UAC game

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

Twitter feed is not available at the moment.

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

22 hours ago

The Optimist
The student-run Hispanos Unidos club put together its annual Entra a La Plaza to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Attendees were able to experience authentic Hispanic traditions like traditional Hispanic food, dancing with live music and offered selections from local businesses like Mary’s Paleteria. For more media coverage for this event and others visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio.-------------------------------------------------------------#acu #acunews #HispanicHeritageMonth #hispanosunidos ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

5 days ago

The Optimist
As the Student Government Association celebrates its 100th year of existence, 56 officials have been elected, including four presidents for each class. Read more about the officers and representatives at acuoptimist.com or by clicking the link in our bio.-------------------------------------------------------------#acu #acunews #acusga #abilenechristianuniversity #acuofficers ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 22, 2023

Our top stories this week include the passing of Dr. Bob Hunter, a new endowment ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 8, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 1, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 25, 2023

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Podcasts

© 2023 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved