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 / News / Wildcats drop first two games

Wildcats drop first two games

November 17, 2010 by Bryson Shake

The ACU women’s basketball team opened its 2010-11 campaign Friday in Austin and came away with unfavorable results, having lost both games slated on their schedule.

Friday the Wildcats played Hillsdale on the campus of St. Edwards University in Austin at the St. Edwards Shootout and caught the short end of the stick, losing 77-66 to the Chargers.

Hillsdale had a lead of 25 points in the second half, but the Wildcats rebounded and cut the lead to as little as eight with 25 seconds left in the game, displaying a sense of persistence and tenacity that head coach Shawna Lavender was glad to see.

“I was so impressed with our tenacity and drive in the Hillsdale game. We were down 18 at half, and things just weren’t looking good for us. It would have been so easy for us to put our tail between our legs and give up, but there was never a thought of doubt from the girls. They played with great intensity and purpose until the final buzzer sounded,” Lavender said.

Hillsdale’s Laura Barczak made a pair of free throws to make it 55-30 with 14:06 to play, but the Wildcats were still hard at it, cutting the score to 72-64, with capped layups by freshman Hillari Adam and sophomore Cecilee Perez. The lone senior on the team, Autumn Whitaker, had a game-high 17 points while Perez and Kelsey Smith followed suit with 11 and 10, respectively.

The Wildcats outscored the Chargers by eight points in the second half.

For nine of the players, this was their first time to step on a collegiate court and compete, and Lavender acknowledged their efforts.

“It was definitely a positive thing to see the fight and character that everyone showed in the second half,” said Lavender.

The ‘Cats then took on the St. Edwards Lady Hilltoppers on Saturday in Austin and fell short, losing 64-59.

St. Edwards outscored ACU 7-0 in the final 23 seconds of the game.

ACU led 59-57 with 26 seconds left after Renata Marquez hit a pair of free throws to break a 57-all tie.  But just three seconds later, Haley Tidwell nailed a 3-pointer to give the Hilltoppers a 60-59 lead that would ultimately prove to be concrete.

After a Cecilee Perez turnover and a Marquez foul with 16 seconds left, Brittany Ward hit a pair of free throws to make it a 62-59 game.  ACU called timeout with seven seconds left, but Perez missed a game-tying 3-pointer with four seconds left.

The Wildcats (0-2) shot a meager 36 percent from the field, and struggled at the free throw line, hitting only 18 of 30 charity shots. Both are things that sophomore Shelby Shipley says need to improve, as they are essential for winning at the collegiate level.

“We definitely need to work on our shot selection and taking advantage of the opportunities presented to us on the offensive end of the floor. We need to be more patient and wait for those opportunities to develop, and we’ll be fine,” Shipley said.

The Wildcats will be back on the court at 6 p.m. Tuesday November 23, as they take on St. Mary’s in San Antonio.

Filed Under: News, Sports Tagged With: Women's Basketball

Other News:

  • Annual Lunar New Year celebration held by ASO

  • Student life implements new software, updates rushing process

  • Conversations about extension of Brown Library hours continuing

About Bryson Shake

You are here: Home / News / Wildcats drop first two games

Other News:

  • Annual Lunar New Year celebration held by ASO

  • Student life implements new software, updates rushing process

  • Conversations about extension of Brown Library hours continuing

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
12h

BREAKING: Campus will be operating remotely in the morning. Any classes after 1 p.m. will be in person.

Reply on Twitter 1620939263557734401 Retweet on Twitter 1620939263557734401 Like on Twitter 1620939263557734401 Twitter 1620939263557734401
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
31 Jan

BREAKING: Campus will continue operating remotely Wednesday due to continued icy conditions.

Reply on Twitter 1620523455421779970 Retweet on Twitter 1620523455421779970 Like on Twitter 1620523455421779970 1 Twitter 1620523455421779970

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

4 days ago

The Optimist
ACU’s Alpha Psi Omega chapter raised money for the Living Waters Charity by putting on a show in the span of 24 hours. See more photos from our gallery: ... See MoreSee Less

Gallery: 24-Hour Musical tells the heartwarming story of Junie B. Jones - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

ACU’s Alpha Psi Omega chapter raised money for the Living Waters Charity by putting on a show in the span of 24 hours. This year, the department chose to perform the beloved children’s musical “...
View on Facebook
· Share

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

The Optimist

6 days ago

The Optimist
Greek Life has started a partnership with Campus Director, a software company that works with universities all over the country. Read more: ... See MoreSee Less

Student life implements new software, updates rushing process - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Greek Life has started a partnership with Campus Director, a software company that works with universities all over the country. The Campus Director software has an algorithm programmed to match rushe...
View on Facebook
· Share

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

Videos

Optimist Newscast Jan. 25, 2023

Tune in to this week's newscast for a look at Greek Life rushing, the annual ... [Read More…]

  • Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Podcasts

© 2023 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved