The Wildcats' Preston Davis hit a jumper with three seconds to go to lead Abilene Christian to an 88-86 win over previously unbeaten Texas A&M University-Commerce.
After a 30-second time out by ACU, the Lions' Labree Sledge (pictured) hit the first of two 3 pointers to cut the deficit to 84-83. Forced to foul, the Wildcats' Marcus Washington made two free throws to stretch the margin to 86-83 with 15 seconds to go.
Next, Sledge hit another 3 pointer to tie the game at 86. The Wildcats elected not to go with a time out and Davis came down and hit the game-winning shot.
A&M-Commerce (5-1) junior Desmond King had another strong game with a double double, scoring 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to lead the Lions. Tyris Dowell and Stefon Carson, who each scored 14 and Preston Whitley added 11 to join King in double figures.
Abilene Christian (3-2) spread scoring among 10-different players in the win. Leading the Wildcats with 15 points was Vladimir Gravranic. Also in double figures were Desmond Woodberry and Washington with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Plus, Dosh Simms added 10 in the win.
Trailing by three at half, the Lions scored the first seven points of the second 20 minutes to take a 39-36 lead with 18:40 left in the game. Later in the half, both teams put together a spurt to take the lead but a 7-0 spurt by the Wildcats put the home team up by a 56-49 margin with 10:44 to play. ACU stretched the margin to as much as 13, 65-52, with 8:51 to go.
However, the Lions continued to work down the deficit for the remainder of the game. Trailing 82-76 with 1:56 to play, Carson hit a jumper and King hit 1 of 2 free throws on two different trips to cut the deficit to 82-80 with 31 seconds to play. Next, Woodberry hit two free throws with 26 seconds left for an 84-80 ACU advantage. Then, Sledge came off the bench to hit his first of two 3 pointers prior to the game-deciding heroics in the end.
Up next for the Lions is three-straight home games, starting with West Texas A&M on Saturday, Dec. 11th at 7 p.m.
