By Brian Roe, Sports Writer

ACU went into Pittsburg, Kan., with a 1-1 record, but the Wildcats fell to 1-3 after dropping back-to-back games Friday and Saturday against Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State.

On Friday, ACU dug itself into a hole after trailing by double digits at the end of the first half. The Wildcats battled back and tied the game up in the second half before losing to Missouri Southern 64-61.

“We did not play aggressive at all in the first half,” head coach Shawna Lavender said. “We started attacking in the second half but couldn’t execute down the stretch. We lost, but it was good to see we could come back. I think we learned a lot about playing not only 25 or 30 minutes but all 40 minutes of the game.”

In the second game, the Wildcats again played a close game against Pittsburg State but again fell short losing their third game of the young season, 65-61.

“Right now early in the season losing doesn’t hurt as much as it will later when we get into conference games,” Lavender said. “We are just trying to shed our old habits and trying to learn what it takes to win every time you step on the court. I think we are just beginning to understand what it takes, but I feel good about the way we are playing.”

Lavender said she wants her players to understand that hard work will pay off.

“It’s a process,” she said. “We want to make progress every game and I told the ladies it won’t happen overnight but I think they understand if they play hard and get better every day good things will happen.”

The Wildcats will get a chance to make more progress with a match-up against South Eastern Oklahoma 6 p.m. Thursday in Durant, Okla.

“Southeastern Oklahoma always has a good team, and it’s a tough place to play,” Lavender said. “But I think us being on the road for all of our games so far this season is going to help because we are a lot stronger mentally.”