Box Score ABILENE, Texas – Junior Micaela Wilson scored a team-high 17 points and Jadyn Pimentel added 14 points as Lamar University defeated Abilene Christian, 71-65, Wednesday evening in Abilene.
 
The Cardinals (5-9/4-2 Southland) overcame a slow start offensively to shoot better than 42 percent from the field (25-of-59), including six three-pointers. Big Red turned the ball over just seven times Wednesday, that combined with the fact that LU took advantage of their hosts miscues helped them overcome their slow start. LU scored 25 points off the Wildcats' 23 turnovers.
 
The Wildcats shot 23-of-52 (.442) from the field, but struggled from beyond the arc converting seven of 25 attempts (.280). ACU won the battle on the boards, 43-26.
 
Junior Angel Hastings scored 12 points to join Wilson and Pimentel in double figures. Abilene Christian was led by 17 points from Alyssa Adams.

"It was a total team effort tonight," said LU head coach Aqua Franklin. "On the way here we talked about being road warriors and to do that it takes everyone. Gibbs was big tonight and Shedricka scored some big points, and in the second half Micaela Wilson was key and JP had a huge third quarter to get us rolling.
 
"In the first half, there would be a run and then the other team would answer. In the second half, we kept our composure. I think that speaks to how we've grown as a team and I'm excited about the direction we're headed," added Franklin.
 
The two teams started on different ends of the spectrum offensively as the Cardinals knocked down just one of their first seven attempts, while ACU was 3-of-5. Despite the slow start, the Cardinals managed to take the first lead of the game, 7-6, at the 3:48 mark on an Anyssia Gibbs three ball. Following the Gibbs' basket ACU responded with an 11-3 to reclaim the advantage.
 
Shedricka Pierson ended the run with a basket, followed by a Hastings' three to close out the quarter down just two. The Cardinals kept applying pressure to start the second and went on a 17-3 run highlighted by a Hastings' transition basket to take a 25-20 lead.
 
The Cardinals pushed their lead to as many as 11, 33-22, with just over four minutes remaining in the quarter before the home team battled back. The Wildcats went on an 11-0 run to tie it at 33, but just like the first quarter, the Cardinals answered with consecutive baskets – including a Hastings' and-one to take a 38-35 lead into the locker room.
 
The Cardinals finished the opening half shooting 14-of-36 (.389) from the field, including five three-pointers. Big Red was outrebounded by five, but LU didn't allow their hosts extra possessions turning the ball over just twice in the opening 20 minutes.
 
The Wildcats were 12-of-22 (.545) in the first half, including four three-pointers and a 7-of-7 effort from the line, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Cardinals' 15 points off ACU turnovers. The Cardinals also got 20 points from its bench in the first 20 minutes of action.
 
The second half turned out to be a different game compared to the opening half. If the first half was a game of runs – punch, counter-punch – the second half settled down into more of an arm-wrestling match with neither team willing to surrender. The Cardinals held the lead throughout the second half and managed to keep ACU at arm's length.
 
The Wildcats pulled within a single-point, 62-61, with 4:52 remaining in the contest, but the Cardinals had an answer. LU responded with four-straight points from Micaela Wilson and a second-chance basket from Bebe Galloway to push their lead back to seven, 68-61, with 3:02 remaining. The Cardinals managed to push their lead to nine before the Wildcats got back on the scoreboard.
 
The ACU basket would be their only field goal in the final 1:36 as the Cardinals allowed the Wildcats only two free throws down the stretch to hold on for the win.

"There were a lot of obstacles for tonight that we had to overcome and get locked in," said Franklin. "We managed to do that which shows resilience, focus and the growth of this team. This wasn't a great game tonight but I think that is scary about this team. Any one can step up on any given day."
 
Due to rescheduling earlier this year because of COVID, the Cardinals return home Saturday to host Abilene Christian in a rematch. The game against the Wildcats will tip off at 2 p.m. from the Montagne Center, and will be streamed live on ESPN+.