Athletic Report
February 5, 2000

WILDCATS DEFEAT GREYHOUNDS, 83-77
ACU Overcomes 38-34 Halftime Deficit
PORTALES, NM — The Abilene Christian University Wildcats rallied from a 38-34 halftime deficit to defeat Eastern New Mexico University, 83-77, in a Lone Star Conference South Division game, Feb. 5 at Greyhound Arena.

ACU upped its record to 12-9 overall and 4-5 in the LSC South. ENMU dropped to 3-19, 0-10 in conference play. Eastern trailed 8-0, but went on a 23-14 run to take a 23-22 lead with 7:40 remaining in the first half.

The Hounds also led 31-25 at the 5:26 mark after a three-pointer by junior guard Brandon Ridenour (Lovington, NM/New Mexico J.C.). ACU answered with three consecutive baskets to tie the game, and also forced a 34-34 tie with 1:38 left in the half.

ENMU closed out the period with two layups in the final 31 seconds by senior guard Cord Wilburn (Artesia, NM/Otero J.C.). Ridenour hit a jump shot early in the second half, giving Eastern a 40-34 advantage. ACU outscored the Greyhounds 15-3 over the next 7:22 for a 49-43 lead.

Later, the Wildcats led 60-52, then scored 7 consecutive points for a 67-52 advantage with 4:52 left. ENMU trailed by 11 points, 73-62, at the 2:16 mark, but cut the deficit to 7 points, 75-68, with 0:48 to go.

The Wildcats twice built 10-point leads in the final minute, but back-to-back 3-pointers by Heath Ridenour (Fr., G, Lovington, NM/Lovington H.S.) and Brandon Ridenour cut the deficit to 81-77 with 0:05 left. ACU’s Peter Kiganya, who led the Wildcats with 24 points, sank two free throws one second later to clinch the win.

Brandon Ridenour led all players with a career high 29 points. He was 11 of 17 from the field (7 of 11 on 3-point shots). He also recorded 5 rebounds and provided 3 assists. Wilburn added 16 points and 7 assists for ENMU, while Heath Ridenour tallied 13 points and 5 assists, and Keenan Browder (Fr., F, Gary, IN/Bishop Noll Institute) scored 12 points.

Kiganya was joined by three other Wildcats in double figures. They were Derek Stricklin with 18 points (7 of 10 field goals), Rodney Lee with 15 points and Jimmy Taylor with 10 points and 9 rebounds.

ENMU concludes a three-game homestand on Wed., Feb. 9, when the Greyhounds host Midwestern State University at 7:00 p.m. (MST). The Greyhounds will play at West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas on Sat., Feb. 12 at 5:00 p.m. (MST).