Wednesday’s game against against Tarleton State was a huge game for the Wildcats, but they fell flat. Â A tough environment plus a lack of disciplined play plagued the ‘Cats, who got beat up en route to a 65-48 drubbing.
The Wildcats only shot a mere 25 percent from the floor, making 13 of their 51 field goal attempts. Tarleton, now 13-0 in Lone Star Conference, looked a little out of sorts as well, shooting under 40 percent. It was good enough to beat the offensively challenged Wildcats, however.
“We didn’t seem mentally prepared coming into the game and didn’t play to our potential,” freshman guard Mack Lankford said. “It’s frustrating because we know how good we can be.”
Lankford was the only Wildcat to score in double figures with 16. The TexAnns had four players hit at least 10 points, with guard Morgan Stehling leading Tarleton with 14. The game was largely determined by the physicality from both sides. All three officials were hesitant to blow their whistles all game, resulting in what amounted to a football game on the basketball court. Both Lankford and senior Autumn Whitaker had taken hard shots to the legs and were visibly limping by the time the final horn blew.
“Last night was one of the most physical games we have played,” Lankford said. “It was good preparation for the conference tournament though. Everyone in the tournament will be fighting for the spot in the regionals, so they’ll be extra physical.”
The loss is big one for the Wildcats because it assures them a fourth place finish in the LSC South. They will have to play the first place seed from the LSC North, most likely Northeastern State. ACU got a chance to see Northeastern earlier in the year, and it wasn’t pretty for Shawna Lavender’s squad that lost 60-44. Until Wednesday night’s game, Northeastern was the last time the Wildcats had not managed 50 points.
“Our team came into the game with a lot of confidence,” Whitaker said. “However, once the game began our confidence seemed to drop off. From this point on we move and focus on Saturday’s game.”
ACU will play one more game this season, at home against Midwestern State. A win would only be a moral booster for the ‘Cats at this point with their position already locked. It is one more chance for ACU fans to see the women before they make the trip to Bartlesville, Okla., for their first round game next Wednesday night.
Saturday’s match-up against the Mustangs will be in Moody Coliseum at 5 p.m. The Wildcat men’s game will immediately follow at 7 p.m.
