The women’s basketball team opens the home portion of its 2016-17 season Tuesday night against Howard Payne University. ACU also plans to lower its 2015-16 conference championship banner before the game.
The Wildcats began the season with a hard-fought loss to Missouri 52-46 in the preseason WNIT tournament.
Look for freshman Breanna Wright to play a large role in Tuesday night’s game, as she became the first woman to play a complete game on opening night since Alex Guiton did it against Incarnate Word in 2007. The Dimba sisters will also be looking to make an impact, as senior Suzzy Dimba finished last game with a team-high 11 points and 5 rebounds, and senior Lizzy Dimba scored 6 points with 5 rebounds and 2 steals. Senior Sydney Shelstead grabbed 10 boards and scored 8 points in only 16 minutes.
Affected by the injury of junior Alexis Mason, last year’s Southland Conference Player of the Year, the Wildcats still look to continue their 17-game home win streak, whihc dates back to February 2015. Sophomore Sara Williams started in her place against Mizzou and will more than likely do the same against HPU.
After the start of this home stand, the Wildcats play Omaha as part of the preseason WNIT consolation bracket, and play either the University of North Texas Mean Green or the UT-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros.
Head Coach Julie Goodenough says that she wants the team to try its best and give its all, and if that happens, they’ll walk away with a win.
“We’ve got a very talented group of girls out there this year,” said Goodenough. “It’s a pleasure to see both the seniors that have been here for four years now and even freshmen stepping into roles. It’s going to be a good season.”
This will be the first game for the Yellow Jackets, who have been picked to win their conference, the American Southwest Conference. However, in the 2014-15 meeting between these two teams ACU came out on top 102-60. The 2014-15 match up was the first time the two teams had played since a 122-42 trouncing by the Wildcats in 1995.
