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 / Pleasant ties career-high 20 points against Hardin-Simmons
Sophomore forward Joe Pleasant charges past a Lamar defender. (Photo by David Mitchell)

Pleasant ties career-high 20 points against Hardin-Simmons

December 16, 2020 by Owen Simpson

Junior forward Joe Pleasant led the Wildcats to their seventh victory on the season with 20 points in a 95-73 victory over Hardin-Simmons Wednesday night.

“I had some struggles early on the season, and I just really keep working behind the scenes,” Pleasant said. “I just have to keep working and trusting my coaches and teammates.”

ACU (7-1) scored a season-high 95 points on 47% shooting. However, the Wildcats struggled to find stops on the opposite end, allowing a season-high 73 points.

“Defensively we know we have to be better,” Pleasant said. “We can’t have stuff like this happen. We have to stay locked in and stay who we are.”

Head coach Joe Golding was pleased with his team’s overall performance, but recognizes there’s still work to be done.

“Tonight we were not as sharp defensively, but we were pretty good offensively,” Golding said. “We’re working our guys really hard on the practice floor. We’re trying to get our team ready for January. We know what’s in front of us with conference teams.”

Golding was also pleased with Pleasant’s performance in the previous two games, scoring 16 or more in both.

“Joe [Pleasant] draws a lot of attention now being one of our better offensive players,” Golding said. “I think he’s done a much better job these last two games. He’s a leader in our locker room.”

Free throws have been a problem early in the season for ACU. Those struggles continued Wednesday, going 27-for-43 (63%).

“With COVID there’s been some things we haven’t gotten to as much, and one of those is free throws,” Golding said. “We haven’t utilized a lot of time in practice for free throws, but obviously that’s something we need to do.”

The Wildcats have shot 61% from the line this season. Up next Hardin-Simmons (4-3) heads home to face UT Dallas Saturday at 3 p.m. Meanwhile, ACU gets another test on the road with undefeated Arkansas Tuesday at 7 p.m.

“It’s one of the best programs in the country,” Golding said. “They’ve got really good players and good on both ends of the floor. It’s going to be a great experience for our team.”

Filed Under: Showcase, Sports

Other Showcase:

  • Patterson’s brand of ACU football: Character. Discipline. Toughness.

  • Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations

  • Wildcats conclude season with preparations for WAC Championships

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 pursuing a career in sports broadcasting, along with any opportunity that presents itself in the media department.

You are here: Home / Sports / Pleasant ties career-high 20 points against Hardin-Simmons

Other Showcase:

  • Patterson’s brand of ACU football: Character. Discipline. Toughness.

  • Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations

  • Wildcats conclude season with preparations for WAC Championships

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 18 Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

4 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

4 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