Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • Classifieds
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Sports / ‘Cats fall to UTEP in first round of WNIT

‘Cats fall to UTEP in first round of WNIT

March 19, 2016 by Jonathan Raitz

BOX SCORE

The women’s basketball team finished its season Thursday night in El Paso after falling in the first round of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament, 66-62 against University of Texas El-Paso.

“A big difference in the game at UTEP was the incredible crowd and home court advantage,” head coach Julie Goodenough said. “They are very talented team anyway but the awesome pep band and engaged crowd was a big key to their undefeated home record.”

Despite shooting just 17.2 percent in the first half, the Wildcats only trailed by two points heading into the fourth quarter after junior guard Alexis Mason drilled a three with nine seconds left in the third.

In the fourth quarter, each team found momentum, but neither team could pull away. UTEP started the final quarter with a 6-0 run, building a 49-41 lead with 8:57 remaining. But the Wildcats responded with an 11-0 scoring to take the lead by three with just over five minutes to play in the game.

UTEP had one last push left as over the next three minutes as the Miners outscored ACU 9-2 and regained the lead at 58-53 once and for all.

Senior guard Paris Webb was able to cut the lead to 64-62 with six seconds remaining, but the Miners calmly knocked down two free throws to seal the deal at 66-62.

“In spite of the crowd distraction, our team played with great poise and toughness,” Goodenough said. “We missed big free throws in critical times of the game, but give their fans credit for the deafening roar at every free throw attempt.”

As the regular season Conference-USA champion, UTEP entered the game as the highest seed left out of the women’s NCAA tournament, and brought one of their better defensive performances. The Miners forced a school-record 18 turnovers and outscored ACU 16-0 in fast break points.

The Wildcats were led on both sides of the ball by junior Suzzy Dimba, who recorded 17 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in 36 minutes. ACU also received 12 points from senior Whitney West Swinford in her last game as a Wildcat. West finished with 234 career three-pointers, just five behind the all-time leader Ashely King.

“This was an amazing season from start to finish,” Goodenough said. “This team responded so well to adversity and learned valuable lessons along the way. The chemistry and unity of this group of ladies was amazing and a huge factor in the tremendous success we enjoyed.”

At 26-4 the Wildcats secured the third most wins in program history and will have a unique chance to best that next season, as they will lose just two seniors in Webb and West. Goodenough and her team hope this year’s run will be the beginning of something special within the program.

“This season will hopefully just springboard our program to continue pursuing excellence in the form of championships and national tournaments,” Goodenough said.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: Women's Basketball

Other Sports:

  • Wildcats face major struggles in first ever UAC matchup

  • ACU sweeps Seattle University in WAC opener

  • Wildcats look to bounce back in first-ever UAC game

About Jonathan Raitz

JMC Network Sports Director. Try to cover all things sports related, on and off The Hill (ACU).

You are here: Home / Sports / ‘Cats fall to UTEP in first round of WNIT

Other Sports:

  • Wildcats face major struggles in first ever UAC matchup

  • ACU sweeps Seattle University in WAC opener

  • Wildcats look to bounce back in first-ever UAC game

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

Twitter feed is not available at the moment.

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

2 days ago

The Optimist
The student-run Hispanos Unidos club put together its annual Entra a La Plaza to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Attendees were able to experience authentic Hispanic traditions like traditional Hispanic food, dancing with live music and offered selections from local businesses like Mary’s Paleteria. For more media coverage for this event and others visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio.-------------------------------------------------------------#acu #acunews #HispanicHeritageMonth #hispanosunidos ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

7 days ago

The Optimist
As the Student Government Association celebrates its 100th year of existence, 56 officials have been elected, including four presidents for each class. Read more about the officers and representatives at acuoptimist.com or by clicking the link in our bio.-------------------------------------------------------------#acu #acunews #acusga #abilenechristianuniversity #acuofficers ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 22, 2023

Our top stories this week include the passing of Dr. Bob Hunter, a new endowment ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 8, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 1, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 25, 2023

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Podcasts

© 2023 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved