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You are here: Home / Sports / Explosive shooting leads Wildcats over Islanders
Sophomore forward Joe Pleasant charges past a Lamar defender. (Photo by David Mitchell)

Explosive shooting leads Wildcats over Islanders

February 15, 2020 by Owen Simpson

Senior guard Payton Ricks led the game in scoring, as the Wildcats grabbed their third-consecutive win with a victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

In the 78-64 win Saturday, ACU (15-10, 10-4 SLC) still sits just half-a-game back from second place in the Southland Conference.

“We got off to a really good start offensively, and we have recently,” Head Coach Joe Golding said. “We’re moving the ball really well and trusting each other. I think we’re doing a really good job of that.”

The Wildcats shot the ball 68% (15-22) from the court in the first half, propelling them to a 45-34 lead at the half.

Despite the stellar shooting, ACU shot 1-13 from 3-point range.

“We aren’t the best shooting team in the country,” Golding said. “The good thing is we didn’t shoot 27 of them. I thought we had the right shots and the right guys shooting them, but sometimes they just won’t fall.”

Ricks scored 17 points on 4-9 shooting and made his presence known on defense with four steals.

“It was a good win, a much needed win,” Ricks said. “In the standings, it seems we’re tied with everybody, so every game counts.”

Meanwhile, the Islanders (10-16, 6-9 SLC) are on the outside looking in, falling to ninth in the conference standings. With just five games left in the regular season, they’ll need to find a way into the top eight of the conference to make the Southland Tournament.

Freshman guard Jordan Hairston led the way for the Islanders, dropping 13 points and two 3-pointers in just 19 minutes. Despite the loss, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was flowing on the offensive side, shooting 49% (24-49) in the game.

Up next, the Wildcats have a chance to move into second place in the conference with a win next week. ACU continues its road trip to Houston to face Houston Baptist (3-20, 3-11 SLC) Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

“It’s that time of year,” Golding said. “It’s February, it’s a grind. You’ve got to be mentally focused and have that leadership in the locker room. So we just need to keep playing the way we’re capable of.”

Filed Under: Sports

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About Owen Simpson

- Editor-in-Chief and Sports Director
- ESPN Analyst for ESPN football and basketball

I'm a senior journalism major from Georgetown, Texas. I serve in several roles for the ACU JMC department. For years, I've had a passion in sports and news, and I'm pursing a career in sports broadcasting, along with any opportunity that presents itself in the media department.

You are here: Home / Sports / Explosive shooting leads Wildcats over Islanders

Other Sports:

  • Wildcats struggle from deep against Bearkats

  • Softball seeks to rebound from shortened 2020 season

  • Track and field competes in first indoor meet at Corky Classic

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