(photo via Southland Conference)
After a perfect three-game road trip, the women’s basketball team is back in Moody Coliseum to defend their undefeated home and conference record against Houston Baptist University.
Having played five out of their seven conference games on the road, head coach Julie Goodenough and her team said they are ready to be home.
“We are beyond excited to finally have an entire week at home and look forward to having great fan support as always in Moody,” Goodenough said.
The Wildcats bring home with them a 12-game winning streak after taking care of Incarnate Word, 86-71, in their latest match up, along with the Southland’s second leading scorer and reigning three-time Southland Conference Player of the Week in junior Alexis Mason. Mason is averaging 16.6 points per game and is coming off a 26 point performance in UIW, where she eclipsed 1,000 points for her career as a Wildcat.
Meanwhile, the visiting Huskies (8-9, 3-4) come in on the tail end of a three-game road trip, in which they are 1-2 after a 77-70 loss to Lamar (8-11, 4-4). Despite a lackluster 3-4 record in conference play, HBU has been put together some impressive performances including just a one-point loss to second place Central Arkansas (16-2, 6-1).
HBU’s four losses have also only come at the hands of Southland opponents with .500 or better conference records. The Huskies also defeated a fifth place Nicholls State (6-11, 4-3) 80-71, earlier this conference season.
ACU will also have its hands full on the boards, as HBU enters the game fourth in rebounds margin led by junior Anna Strickland averaging an astounding 13.5 rebounds per game.
“We have a few days to work on blocking out and getting prepared to limit HBU’s opportunities to get offensive rebounds,” Goodenough said.
As a team, ACU rebounds well, posting a 3.1 rebounding margin, good enough for third best in the Southland.
Along with their 12 consecutive wins, the Wildcats have also scored more than 80 points in their last three contests, while HBU is averaging just over 60 points in their last three games. ACU has outscored its opponents 372-253 in the fourth quarter this season.
Tip-off is at 7 p.m. as the Wildcats look for their eighth conference win and a 13th consecutive victory overall.
