The Wildcats could not overcome an 11-point first half deficit as the Texas A&M Kingsville Javelinas got the better of ACU 66-55.
“We came out Saturday and I felt that we had good preparation for the game,” Head Coach Jason Copeland said. “We are just struggling to get the ball in the basket right now. We have made some changes and we are just trying to get back to having confidence in our game and confidence in each other.”
ACU was held under 60 points for the second consecutive game as the offense struggled in the first half scoring only 25 points. ACU went into halftime trailing 36 -25.
ACU would get back into the game in the second half, chipping away at the Javelina lead. The Wildcats would go on a 10 -2 in the first 5:45 of the second half to get within three points. The game would go back and forth for the rest of the game as ACU would never get closer than three.
The Wildcats were down four points in the final two minutes of the game. ACU tipped in a basket with 1:35 left that would have made the score 59-57 Kingsville. However, the bucket was waved off by an offensive goaltending call. The Javelinas would score on its next two possessions and make free throws down the stretch to come away with a 66-55 victory.
The Wildcats were led by Desmond Woodberry who scored 10 points and had seven rebounds. Eric Milam added 12 points for the Wildcats in the losing effort. Antwan Mullins led Kingsville and all scorers in the game with 25 points.
ACU shot 16-28 on the free throw line, a low 57.1 percent. The Wildcats were also outplayed in the paint, getting outscored 38-16.
“Our offense was good, we weren’t stagnant like we have been,” forward Giordan Cole said. “Our defense was solid, but we just didn’t cut off the net. I think that was the difference there.”
The loss drops the Wildcats to 8-8 overall for the season and 0-4 in LSC South Division play. The Wildcats will travel to San Antonio to take on Incarnate Word on Wednesday. ACU will be looking to break a four-game losing streak and pick up its first win in division play. The Wildcats will tip off against the Cardinals at 8 p.m.
“You can’t worry about what is happening, you just have to look ahead,” Coach Copeland said. “We should play good Wednesday. We had a good practice Monday and we should be ready.”
This is Incarnate Word’s first season to be eligible to participate in LSC action. So far they haven’t disappointed with a 14-2 overall record.
Coach Ken Burmeister helms the Cardinals. Under his leadership, the Cardinals have won at least 17 games every year.
