(photo via ACU Sports)
After getting back to their winning ways with an 88-72 victory over Southeastern Louisiana, the Wildcats head home Wednesday night for a rematch against Sam Houston State.
“Playing Sam Houston for the second time will require really studying our first game to see what areas we need to improve and what did we do well,” head coach Julie Goodenough said. “They have a tremendous scoring low post and a great point guard. We have to defend them as a team for sure.”
In their previous match up, ACU held a significant advantage in fast break scoring, producing an 18-6 edge. The Wildcats also forced 20 SHSU turnovers, which led to 28 points off turnovers compared to just 15 ACU turnovers and 13 points off turnovers by the Bearkats. The Wildcats came away with an 87-76 win.
This will also be the second time the Wildcats will take on Southland Conference leading scorer Shernise Robertson, who is averaging 18.6 points per game through the first 11 conference games. Robertson recorded 21 points in their last meeting, but was just one of two Bearkat starters to score in double-digits, while four of five Wildcat starters made it to double figures.
Junior Lizzy Dimba was the lone Wildcat who failed to reach double figures in scoring, but is coming off a career-high 23 points and 12 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season.
“We just have that feeling in our stomachs of what it feels like to lose again so I feel like going into Wednesday we will all be extremely focused,” Dimba said. “Playing a team for the second time gives them the advantage of knowing firsthand what we do, so we have to be focused and play to the best of our potential in order to come out with a win.”
Wednesday’s game was also designated as ACU’s annual Play4Kay game. Play4Kay is a foundation started back in 2007, and is recognized across women’s college basketball in honor of NC State’s late coach Kay Yow.
The Wildcats will also be honoring freshman Sara Williamson‘s mother Sue, who was diagnosed with cancer back in early November.
With a win the Wildcats would extend their home winning streak to double-digits and secure a fourth straight season of 10 or more wins in Moody Coliseum.
