The men’s basketball team traveled to face preseason favorite Stephen F. Austin Wednesday and lost 61-60 in heartbreaking fashion after senior guard Shannon Bogues hit a game-winning three-pointer to give the Lumberjacks the win.
ACU was in control for most of the first half as they found an 11 point lead at the 11:19 mark.
The team stayed in a considerable lead for the remaining time and took the momentum into halftime after senior forward Hayden Farquhar converted a layup right at the buzzer.
Coming out of the gate in the second half, the Wildcats quickly lost its eight point lead when SFA went on a 10-0 run in the first five minutes making the score 35-33.
The men would respond in the next five minutes, however, with a 17-7 run of their own to take back the eight point lead.
In the remaining ten minutes of the game, the Wildcats kept a considerable lead and entered the final 30 seconds being up by seven (60-53).
ACU would then proceed to turn the ball over twice and allow five points. With 12 seconds left, junior guard Payten Ricks was intentionally fouled and went to the free throw line.
Ricks would miss the free throw, however, and SFA rebounded the ball. Bogues then knocked down the three with five seconds left to go.
The Wildcats had a chance to inbound the ball and get a shot off, but Ricks couldn’t connect on a three-point attempt.
Senior guard Jaren Lewis said the team has to keep its head up and focus on the next game.
“It’s extremely important that we keep moving this season,” Lewis said. “Coach Golding does a great job of keeping us focused and stresses the importance of bouncing back. We have bounced back every time after losses this year, but this next game is the most important because it’s the next game on our schedule.”
With the loss, the men fall to 16-4 overall and 5-2 in conference, while SFA improves to 10-8 overall and 3-3 in Southland.
Coming off the bench, Farquhar scored the most points on the night with 19. He was 8-9 from the field and 3-4 from behind the arc. Senior guard Jaylen Franklin also was a top performer with 15 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals.
The men will now get to return home after the loss to face Central Arkansas Saturday. UCA is 10-10 overall this season with a 5-2 conference record, which ties ACU for second in Southland at the moment.
Heading into the game, the Bears are on a four-game win streak after defeating New Orleans Wednesday, while ACU will put its perfect 9-0 home record on the line.
Lewis said it will be good for the team to come back home after a loss.
“It will be really nice to come out to Moody Saturday,” Lewis said. “We have been getting great support this year and we really appreciate it. We will focus on taking care of the ball and bringing intensity Saturday. Us players know we have to do a much better job of taking care of the ball.”
Tipoff against UCA is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Coverage of the game will air on ESPN+ and 98.1 FM.
