ABILENE – The Wildcats sank eight free throws in the last minute and half to seal a 69-62 win over visiting East Central on Saturday in Lone Star Conference Crossover action.
ACU improves to 5-3 on the season winning for third time in four tries, while ECU falls to 6-5 on the season. The Wildcats return to action for the final time before the holiday break hosting Southeastern Oklahoma on Monday at Moody Coliseum.
The Wildcats placed three players in double figures as they shot 61 percent down in the second half as key free throws down the stretch sealed the victory.
Preston Davis shot two technical foul shots in the final 20 seconds to preserve the win as he finished with nine points.
Desmond Woodberry led all scorers with 20 points as he was 7 of 10 from the free throw line. Foul trouble plagued both teams as ACU shot 39 free throws and ECU shot 23, but it was 34 points in the paint helping the Wildcats stay above .500 on the season.
ECU had only 12 points in the paint as the Wildcats stayed in a zone defense most of the night forcing the Tigers to shoot from the outside. Shooting only 35 percent ECU only led three times with the last coming 7 minutes before the break.
The Wildcats were solid on the glass out-rebounding the Tigers making up for 22 turnovers.
East Central was led by Caprest Rhone who finished the night with 20 points before fouling out in the last minute.
ACU tips off from Moody Coliseum on Monday at 7:30 p.m. for the final time before the New Year.
