The Wildcats women’s basketball team secured their sixth straight win on Wednesday against San Angelo, 53-39. The win put the Wildcats at 13-3 overall and ties them for first place with a 8-2 Lone Star Conference record.
“The biggest key to our win was our perseverance,” senior Kelsey Smith said. “We played as a team and got the win.”
ACU shot only 27 percent for the game, but their defense was able to play big as they earned the win in San Angelo.
The Wildcats also secured a victory on Saturday against Texas A&M Kingsville, 76-61.
ACU controlled the pace for the most part of the first half, but allowed their lead to slip away as they went into the break with a 40-37 lead.
“We just have to make sure that we keep our intensity up and play hard all the way,” junior Savannah Smith said.
The second half turned out to be a very different story as the Wildcats went on a 23-8 run which gave them a 60-48 lead with 8:38 left in the game. The Lady ‘Cats would lead by as many as 19 points, but finished with a 15 point win.
“The overall team performance is unstoppable,” Savannah Smith said. “I believe that every time we step on the floor that we are the better team. Our biggest strength is that we do not just have six players who can contribute. All eleven teammates are all capable of contributing and making a difference in the game.”
Kelsey Smith contributed 14 points, while Savannah Smith added a career high 13 points.
Junior Renata Marquez had a game high 21 points and continued her superb play. Earlier this week, Marquez was named Lonestar Conference offensive player of the week. She averaged 19.5 ppg and shot 61 percent from the field, including 4-7 from the three point line. Marquez also accumulated eight rebounds, six assists, two blocks and eight steals in the wins over Incarnate Word and Kingsville.
“She’s been playing amazing ball and has really been one of our go to players this year,” Kelsey Smith said. “She’s given us a lot of leadership, and has been a strong force on our team.”
The win on Saturday matched the Wildcats win total from last season, as they finished with a 12-14 record. This year, the team has made vast leaps forward and have proven they are a team to be reckoned with.
“I definitely believe we have made a statement this year,” Savannah Smith said. “At the beginning of the year, we were picked to finish seventh in the Lonestar conference. We loved that because we were ready to blow everyone’s expectations and prove people wrong. Our team saying has been ‘exceed expectations’; I would say we are doing that very thing.”
The Wildcats will play San Angelo again on Saturday at Moody Coliseum.
