The Wildcat women’s basketball team fell Thursday night 80-73 to Lubbock Christian after the Lady Chaparrals dominated a key second half at the pre-season exhibition game held at Moody Coliseum.

The ‘Cats fell behind for most of the game and left the court at halftime under a close five-point deficit. However, the Lady Chaps returned from the locker room ready to close out the second half quickly at first with a 45-36 lead, and later pushing a margin as deep as 53-41 early in the fourth period.

ACU answered back however, easing the score back to a five-point game when Kelsey Smith responded with a three-pointer paired with Renata Marquez with two free throws. Mack Lankford followed with a jump shot and Smith with a lay-up, making the score 55-50.

But the Lady Chaparrals didn’t take the ACU run for long without responding. The momentum of the game immediately changed when April Ehlers banked a three-pointer followed by a jumper by Brittany Roberts and then Emily Atkins. With just under 10:00 on the clock, ACU trailed in a 62-50 game.

“They were just on the whole game,” said Sophomore Mack Lankford. “We were not really ready or consistent, and that’s what hurt us.”

The Wildcats hoped to minimize the margin once again, getting as close as six points under with less than 10 seconds to the buzzer. But the Lady Chaps refused to give up their lead. Nicole Hampton, Kelsey Hoppel and Kelsey Canavan responded with three quick layups and Canavan with a jump shot, sealing their fate at 70-56 with just over 5:00 to go.

Smith led ACU in points with 21 and 10 rebounds followed by Marquez with 15. Paige Parliament had 11 points and seven rebounds.

“We are a really good team, and with a lot to work and trying hard, we can get so much better,” said Lankford.

The regular season run begins this week for the Wildcats as they face the Dustdevils of West Texas A&M International. Having lost both of their exhibition games against Houston Baptist and Lubbock Christian, Coach Shawna Lavender looks to focus her girls for the week ahead.

“In practice this week we will really be focusing on being consistent and going hard the whole time, Lavender said. “We need to maintain so we can finish the whole game.”

ACU will begin their regular season run this Thursday in Laredo again Texas A&M International.