Saying goodbye is never easy, but at least Maddie Miller’s last basketball game at Moody Coliseum was a win.
The graduate student scored a game-high 18 points to lead Abilene Christian past Seattle 49-43 in the regular season finale on Thursday.
Addison Martin also had 12 points, and Maleh Langstaff had eight as the Wildcats (15-14 overall, 9-9 Western Athletic Conference) took a three-game winning streak into Monday’s conference tournament in Las Vegas.
Miller, who played five seasons with the Wildcats before an additional COVID-19 year, was not quite ready to play his final game at Moody.
“It was definitely bitter,” Miller said. “I had to put myself together emotionally for the last two days just thinking about it. Just trying to get one more W before we go to Vegas. After the game was over, I allowed myself to feel all the emotions. Me and my dad had a moment. So, it was cool.
It was also the last home game for Langstaff, a gradual transfer from Northeastern State, but Miller played in a school-record 146 games for the Wildcats, including 82 starts – 80 the previous three seasons.
So, yes, there were some tears shed in that moment with his father at Moody’s after the game.
“After the game, he was crying, and I cried more,” Miller said. “It was very, very sweet.”
ACU coach Julie Goodenough was delighted to see Miller have a big night in a moody finale.
“Maddy is the only player on our team who had ever played at Moody’s before this year,” said Goodenough, whose team played the last two seasons at the Teague Center while Moody underwent renovations. “So, it was awesome for him to come out and have a big scoring night for us. She’s leading us really well this year. So, I’m glad that her personal night on her last night at Moody’s was a success.
warm up time
It was a big win for an ACU team that has struggled to find and maintain momentum throughout the season.
It was the Wildcats’ first three-game winning streak since defeating Nichols, McMurry and Tarleton in late December.
The Wildcats, only sophomores and freshmen after two graduate students, Langstaff and Miller, had won consecutive games once since, prior to the current streak. In fact, ACU was 2-6 in its last eight games before catching fire.
And the timing couldn’t be better in the conference tournament.
Miller said, ‘It was very important to win. “We haven’t had a three-game win streak in a really long time. It’s a win, a loss, a win, a loss.
“So, it was a big test for our team to get over a hump that we haven’t been able to get over in a while. What better time than March to do it?”
win ugly
The Wildcats, who began their winning streak with an impressive win over then-league leader Southern Utah in overtime, needed a third straight win against Seattle (5-23, 5-) in an ugly, low-scoring game. Had to work hard. 13).
ACU shot just 29% for the game – 16 of 56 shots from the field, including 6 of 27 3-pointers. The RedHawks weren’t much better, shooting 32% (17-53, including 4-18 3s).
Both teams scored 38 points from the field. However, ACU hit 11 of 14 free throws, while Seattle converted 5 of 9. That was the difference in the game.
ACU averaged 71.5 points per game and allowed 65 assists, while the RedHawks were averaging 68.9 points per game and 70.1 assists.
ACU Sam didn’t come back from Tuesday’s game at Houston State until Wednesday morning, and Goodenough thought maybe the long days and short turnaround had something to do with it.
“I don’t know if we just haven’t recovered from the lack of sleep or what,” Goodenough said. But we missed 16 3’s in the first half. They were very good looking. They looked amazing. I don’t know We had to win a different way today – get defensive stops, free throws get rebounds.”
How ugly was it? The teams combined for just 18 points in the first quarter, and Seattle led 22–17 at halftime.
Miller and Bella Earl made consecutive 3-point goals for an 8–0 run to end the third quarter, and ACU scored the first three baskets in the final quarter to take a 12-point lead (39–27) with 7:21 remaining. took. To play.
The ACU never ran again.
Not that the game didn’t end with some drama. The Wildcats struggled to put away the RedHawks.
Seattle, a team with only one senior, got closer to three, but Miller responded each time—the first time hitting two free throws, the second time a trey and the third time two more free throws, followed by an Irena Korolenko 3–. Pointer made it 46-43 with 45 seconds left.
Peyton Howard led Seattle with 12 points, and Korolenko followed with nine. The RedHawks had already clinched a spot in the 12-team WAC tournament.
next
And now for Miller & Co., it’s win or go home. He started the day as the ninth seed and if things remain the same, will draw Sam Houston in the first round on Monday afternoon.
1 seed and regular season champion Stephen F. Austin will take on the second round on Wednesday.
It was still possible for the ACU to go No. 7, but Miller said it would not matter where the Wildcats finish or who they play.
“I think it’s about us,” Miller said. “We don’t think we have to look ahead or behind. It’s 0-0. Everyone is 0-0, and everyone knows the strangest things happen in March.
“I think our team is going to stay focused on what we have to do. We’re going to believe in each other, and we’re going to ride the train until it’s time to get off.
Western Athletic Conference
ACU 49, Seattle 43
Seattle…. 8 … 14 … 5 … 16 – 43
ACU…. 10 … 7 … 16 … 16 – 49
Seattle (5-23, 5-13) – Irena Korolenko 4-13 0-0 9, Mya Moore 0-2 1-2 1, Julianna Walker 1-2 0-0 3, Peyton Howard 5-18 2-2 ​​12, Talia Clarke 0-3 0-0 0, Kari Kricjebo 2-4 0-3 4, Asta Blaunfelt 2-4 2-2 8, Sheridan Liggett 2-3 0-0 4, Lisa Michaelson 1-4 0-0 2, Madeline Phillips 0-0 0-0 0, Noemi Barriteau 0-0 0-0 0. Total 17-53 5-9 43.
Abilene Christians (15-14, 9-9) – Malih Langstaff 3-11 2-4 8, Addison Martin 5-11 2-2 12, Aspen Thornton 2-8 1-2 5, Bella Earl 2-7 0-0 6, Maddy Miller 4-10 6-6 18, Claire Graham 0-1 0-0 0, Jo Jackson 0-6 0-0 0, Raechel Harp 0-2 0-0 0. Total 16-56 11-14 49.
3-Point Goal – Seattle 4-18 (Korolenko 1-6, Walker 1-2, Howard 0-4, Clark 0-2, Blaunfelt 2-3, Liggett 0-1), ACU 6-27 (Langstaff 0-5, Thornton 0-5 , Earl 2-5, Miller 4-8, Graham 0-1, Jackson 0-3). Rebound Seattle 39 (Cricjebo 7), ACU 41 (Martin 9). Assist – Seattle 2 (Blauenfelt 1, Liggett 1), ACU 7 (Earl 3). Total fouls – Seattle 19, ACU 13. foul out Seattle: Blaunfelt; ACU: none. technical glitch None. A – 508.
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