The Cats are looking to up their game after losing against Eastern New Mexico University Saturday. The team suffered their first loss of the conference, 62-60.

“We just didn’t play very well and that’s on me,” head coach Golding said. “I didn’t have our team prepared.”

Since the redemption game against Dallas baptist on  Tuesday, Nov. 20th, where the team won 75-73, defense has been the focus for the wildcats.

Coach Golding plans to make defense the major focus for the entire season.

“We have to able to play good defense,” he said. “The other night, I thought defense kept us in the game against Eastern New Mexico.”

Senior center, Steven Werner led the team with 13 rebounds, senior guard Eric Lawton had two consecutive three-pointers in the second half, and senior guard, and junior forward, Elliot Lloyd and Cornelius Cammock were two of the top scorers in the game.

“You have to just come out and play hard no matter who you play,” Lawton said. “Every game in the conference is going to be pretty tough, you have to always come out with the same intensity.”

With the comeback of senior forward Dosh Simms, the wildcats are anxious to have their returning seniors be a vital piece in shaping the rest of the season.

Simms played well against the Greyhounds, nailing successful layups in the second half, pushing the wildcats to a lead around the eight minute mark in the second half.

“We got so many new guys.” Golding said. “We’re trying to figure this out and we’re still a work in progress, through December as we get into second semester, by January, we’ll have an idea of where we’re at.”

Tuesday, the Wildcats took a little break to spread the holiday spirit, at the second annual Christmas Slam. Both the women’s and men’s team played Texas A&M University-Commerce and enjoyed a half time performance from Team Big Air, a high performance acrobatic basketball group.

The Christmas slam included a visit from the jolly man himself, Santa Claus and a toy drive for Arms of Hope, an organization reaching out to disadvantaged children and families.

There were many giveaways for the ACU fans, and a special Christmas blessing from President Phil Schubert as well.
The Wildcats are back in action Saturday at Tarleton State University. The game begins at 7 p.m.