Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Sports / Men’s basketball finishes 1-1 over Thanksgiving holiday
Sophomore Jaren Lewis slashes to the basket between two defenders. (Photo by Lauren Franco)

Men’s basketball finishes 1-1 over Thanksgiving holiday

November 28, 2016 by Max Preston

The men’s basketball team took on some of its toughest competition this season over the Thanksgiving break playing Oklahoma on Thursday falling 72-64. The Wildcats bounced back Sunday with a 71-55 win over Howard Payne.

The loss to Oklahoma was ACU’s second-straight loss after winning its first two of the seasons.

ACU was up at half with a 30-26 score, however, OU scored 46 in the second half to comeback and get the win by eight points.

“Everyone seemed eager to play at OU, and felt like it was a great opportunity,” said sophomore forward Hayden Howell. “The atmosphere was great as a lot of us had friends and/or family there.”

The Wildcats stopped their two game skid in Sunday’s match against Howard Payne, a series ACU now leads all-time 73-38.

The men put up 42 points in the first half topping Howard Payne’s 25, and while the Wildcats played slower in the second half scoring only 29, it was enough to hold off the Yellow Jackets 30 second half points to win by 16.

“Our goal is always to win the game, so no one is celebrating over playing them [OU] close,” Howell said. “No matter the team we play we’re going to feel as if we could have or should have played them better. It felt good to get a win (against Howard Payne) it’s been too long.”

Against Oklahoma, sophomore guard Jaylen Franklin led the team in points with 11 being the only Wildcat to reach double digit scoring during the game. Franklin left the game with an unknown leg injury however, and forced the Wildcats to be without one of their starting guards for most of the second half. He will be re-evaluated Monday in Abilene to determine the seriousness of the injury, but there is not serious concern at this time.

Sophomore guard/forward Jaren Lewis scored eight points in the game and also grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the team in that category.

For Oklahoma, senior guard Jordan Woodard led the Sooners in scoring with 16 points while junior forward Khadeem Lattin led his team in rebounds with 9.

Against Howard Payne, freshman guard Payten Ricks got the start with Franklin being out. Ricks provided 9 points along with 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Lewis and sophomore center Jalone Friday put up the most points in the game as Lewis scored 15 and Friday scored 16. The sophomore duo also led the team in rebounds with Lewis getting 9 and Friday earning 7.

For Howard Payne, sophomore guard Khyce Randall led his team in points with 10 while senior guard Donovan Jenkins got the most rebounds with 8.

The Wildcats will take on New Mexico University next. The game is scheduled for Wednesday in Albuquerque at 7 P.M. and will air on 98.1 FM at 8 P.M. central time.

“We expect a hostile crowd in a very loud stadium against a good team,” said Howell. “We’re going to have to play our game regardless of our surroundings.”

Filed Under: Sports

Other Sports:

  • Baseball drops falls short in regular season ending series in Huntsville

  • Wildcats season closes after losses to Utah Valley and Seattle

  • Wildcats win final weekend series against SFA, gains 4th seed in WAC tournament

About Max Preston

Max Preston is a senior convergence journalism major from Amarillo.

I wouldn’t be the sports director if I didn’t love sports. I’m involved in Galaxy social club and like being social. I’m here for a good time not a long time.

You are here: Home / Sports / Men’s basketball finishes 1-1 over Thanksgiving holiday

Other Sports:

  • Baseball drops falls short in regular season ending series in Huntsville

  • Wildcats season closes after losses to Utah Valley and Seattle

  • Wildcats win final weekend series against SFA, gains 4th seed in WAC tournament

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257Retweet on Twitter 15219188327381442571Like on Twitter 15219188327381442578Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178Like on Twitter 152160708755345817819Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

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

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

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

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved

Posting....