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 / Williamson clinches Wildcat victory in wild finish
Junior Guard Sara Williamson drives into the paint for a layup (Photo by Lauren Franco)

Williamson clinches Wildcat victory in wild finish

February 11, 2018 by Max Preston

Junior guard Sara Williamson brought the Moody crowd to its feet Saturday when she hit a buzzer-beating layup in a 58-56 win over Incarnate Word.

“I felt like crying after the game,” said Head Coach Julie Goodenough. “It was a great game for us, for our team to have to fight and finish, this was good for our young team to have to win a close game like this.”

Saturday’s matchup was anything but comfortable for either team as no lead reached more than four at the end of each quarter.

Incarnate Word took the first quarter from the Wildcats leading 14-12 at the end. The Cardinals, in fact, jumped out to a 13-4 lead, but thanks to an 8-1 run at the end, the Wildcats closed the gap to two.

The second quarter was more successful for the women outscoring the Cardinals 13-8, giving the team a 25-22 lead at the half.

The deficit didn’t budge much in the third quarter as the Wildcats scored 17 points, while the Cardinals scored 16 putting the score at 42-38 heading into the fourth.

The madness began with 2:20 left in the final quarter when senior point guard Melina Merritt knocked down a three-pointer to put the Cardinals within one at a score of 53-52. Incarnate Word then got the ball back and sophomore guard Imani Robinson completed a layup to give her team the lead at 54-53.

On the next possession, the Wildcats got the ball to Williamson and with nine seconds left she hit a layup while also getting fouled. Williamson made the free throw and put her team up 56-54.

The Cardinals weren’t done yet though as the team came out of a timeout and put the ball in Robinson’s hands to tie the game with a jumper. With five seconds left though, ACU took a timeout to draw up a quick play. After the timeout, the Wildcats inbounded the ball to Williamson who then got the final laugh as she drove to the hoop to make another layup and steal the win for her team.

“Coach drew up a good play and we executed well,” Williamson said. “They cut off my right side and crossed over to the left and luckily the basket went in this time. It’s an honor for my teammates to trust me that much to get me the ball at the end of the clock.”

Williamson scored 13 points in the game, while her teammate sophomore guard Dominique Golightly led the way in scoring with 18 points and also grabbed nine rebounds. Freshman forward Makayla Mabry was also impressive coming off the bench to score 10 points with two three-pointers and four free throws.

With the win, the women improved to 15-8 overall and 9-4 in Southland play, while the Cardinals fell to 3-20 overall and 2-10 in conference.

ACU will have the week off and then hit the road again to play Southeastern Louisiana Saturday at 2 p.m.

Filed Under: Sports

Other Sports:

  • Seven new roster additions highlight eventful postseason for Tanner and Wildcats

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

  • Wildcats season closes after losses to Utah Valley and Seattle

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 / Williamson clinches Wildcat victory in wild finish

Other Sports:

  • Seven new roster additions highlight eventful postseason for Tanner and Wildcats

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

  • Wildcats season closes after losses to Utah Valley and Seattle

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The 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 1521918832738144257 Retweet on Twitter 1521918832738144257 1 Like on Twitter 1521918832738144257 8 Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimist The 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 1521607087553458178 Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178 Like on Twitter 1521607087553458178 19 Twitter 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....