The Tarleton State Texans, led by Kade Douglas's 24 points, held off the Abilene Christian Wildcats 65-62 in a closely contested matchup at Wisdom Gym, marking their first win in five games. The Texans, who had been struggling with a 1-4 record over their last five games, averaging just 58 points per game, found a way to overcome their recent slump and secure a much-needed victory. Abilene Christian, on the other hand, had been averaging 66.8 points per game over their last five, but were unable to capitalize on their strong offense, ultimately falling short by 3 points. The Wildcats' recent trend of allowing 66.8 points per game came back to haunt them, as they were unable to contain the Texans' offense in crucial moments.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and playing tenacious defense. Tarleton State's Jordan Mizell added 18 points to the mix, while Andy Sigiscar chipped in with 7 points and 5 rebounds, providing a crucial spark off the bench. Abilene Christian's Bradyn Hubbard had a standout performance, scoring 24 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Texans' balanced attack. The Wildcats' Cbo Newton and Rich Smith added 14 and 12 points, respectively, but their efforts were ultimately thwarted by the Texans' stingy defense, which held them to just 32 points in the second half. With 5 minutes remaining in the game, Tarleton State held a slim 55-52 lead, but they managed to stretch it to 63-58 with just 1 minute left, thanks in large part to Douglas's clutch shooting, including a crucial 3-pointer with 2 minutes remaining.
Tarleton State's Kade Douglas Hits 5 Three-Pointers in Win Over Abilene Christian
The stat line doesn't do justice to the impact that Douglas had on the game, as he hit several big shots, including a 3-pointer with 2 minutes remaining, to help seal the win for the Texans. Meanwhile, Abilene Christian's Hubbard was a force to be reckoned with, but his supporting cast vanished in the second half, with Newton and Smith combining for just 8 points after the break. The Texans' Sigiscar did the dirty work, grabbing 5 rebounds and providing a spark off the bench, while Mizell's 18 points were a crucial factor in the team's victory. Douglas's performance was particularly impressive, given that he had been struggling with his shot in recent games, averaging just 12 points per game over the last 5.
As the game wore on, it became clear that the CHD Scout's prediction of a Tarleton State win by 1.8 points was on the money.
CHD Scout Report Card
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The model correctly accounted for the Texans' recent struggles, but also recognized their potential for a breakout performance. The key factor that the model got right was the Texans' ability to contain Abilene Christian's high-powered offense, which had been averaging 66.8 points per game over their last 5. The Texans' defense, which had been allowing 67.2 points per game over their last 5, stepped up to the challenge, holding the Wildcats to just 62 points, including a paltry 32 points in the second half. This defensive effort was a major factor in the Texans' victory, and it's a reflection of their ability to adapt and overcome their recent struggles.
The win is a significant boost to the Texans' resume, particularly given that it was a Quadrant 4 game. With the victory, they improved to 13-13 on the season, and their NET ranking rose to 214. The loss, on the other hand, drops Abilene Christian to 12-14, and their NET ranking falls to 231. The Wildcats' recent trend of inconsistency continues, as they've now lost 3 of their last 5 games, including a heartbreaking 76-79 loss to Southern Utah. The Texans, meanwhile, want to build on this momentum, as they head into the final stretch of the season. With 5 games remaining, they'll need to string together a few more wins to have any hope of making a push for the postseason.
The implications of this win are significant for Tarleton State, as it keeps them in the hunt for a potential postseason berth. While they're still a long shot, the victory gives them a glimmer of hope, particularly if they can manage to win out and finish the season strong. The win also helps to offset some of the damage from their recent 4-game losing streak, which had dropped them to 12-13 on the season. For Abilene Christian, the loss is a setback, but they're still very much in the mix for a potential postseason bid. With a strong finish to the season, they could still find themselves in the conversation for a tournament spot. The Wildcats' recent trend of inconsistency must be addressed, however, if they hope to make a push for the postseason.
The game was a microcosm of the season for both teams, with Tarleton State's defense ultimately proving to be the difference-maker. The Texans' ability to contain Abilene Christian's offense, particularly in the second half, was the key factor in their victory. With 10 minutes remaining in the game, the score was tied at 50-50, but the Texans managed to outscore the Wildcats 15-12 over the final 10 minutes, thanks in large part to Douglas's clutch shooting. The win is a much-needed boost to the Texans' confidence, and it sets them up for a crucial stretch run. With 5 games remaining, they'll need to win at least 3 of them to have any hope of making a push for the postseason. The loss, on the other hand, is a setback for Abilene Christian, but they'll look to bounce back in their next game, as they try to keep their postseason hopes alive. The Wildcats' recent trend of inconsistency must be addressed, however, if they hope to make a push for the postseason.