The Abilene Christian University (ACU) Wildcats will travel to Lubbock on Tuesday to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena. ACU is eager to snap a two-game losing streak and put forth a strong performance against a formidable opponent. This will be the tenth meeting between the two programs since 1974 and the fifth since ACU transitioned to Division I. Their most recent encounter on December 19, 2018, resulted in a dominant 105-54 victory for the Red Raiders.
The Wildcats are coming off a 71-60 loss to the North Texas Mean Green at Moody Coliseum. Despite forcing more turnovers and outrebounding their opponent, ACU struggled in the second quarter, which ultimately led to their defeat. Payton Hull delivered an impressive performance with 21 points and two assists, while senior guard Bella Earle recorded her first double-double of the season with 17 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
As the Wildcats prepare for this critical matchup, Etruesports will closely follow their performance to see if they can regain momentum in this challenging stretch of the season.
Key Wildcats to Watch
Bella Earle: Senior Leader
Senior guard Bella Earle has been a cornerstone for ACU, leading the team in multiple statistical categories, including points (17.5 per game), rebounds (7.8 per game), and assists (3.3 per game). She made a strong start to the season, earning Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Player of the Week honors in the opening week. Earle’s leadership and all-around play will be instrumental as the Wildcats take on a strong Texas Tech squad.
Payton Hull: Finding Her Rhythm
Sophomore guard Payton Hull rebounded from a tough outing against SFA with an outstanding 21-point performance against North Texas. A member of the Preseason All-WAC team, Hull has now recorded multiple 20-point games this season. Her scoring ability will be a key factor in ACU’s efforts to compete with Texas Tech.
Payton Hull (image via Getty)Meredith Mayes: A Force in the Paint
Sophomore forward Meredith Mayes has been a dominant presence for the Wildcats, leading the team with a 56% field goal percentage. She has also been a defensive anchor, topping the team in steals and blocks per game. Mayes recorded ACU’s first double-double of the season with a career-best 20 points and 13 rebounds against SFA, showcasing her ability to control the paint on both ends of the floor.
Natalia Chavez: Sharpshooter Off the Bench
Junior guard Natalia Chavez, a transfer from New Mexico, has provided a significant boost from beyond the arc. She is shooting an impressive 42.9% from three-point range and has already knocked down nine three-pointers this season. Her ability to stretch the floor will be crucial for ACU against a Texas Tech team that excels defensively.
Toughest Stretch of the Season
ACU is going into one of its most difficult stretches of the season, facing two Group of Five programs and one Power 4 opponent. The Wildcats opened this stretch with a 71-60 loss to North Texas from the American Conference. Now, they face Texas Tech from the Big 12 before returning home to host Western Kentucky from Conference USA on November 21.
Etruesports notes that this challenging run will be a true test of ACU’s resilience and ability to compete against high-caliber teams.
Series History: ACU vs. Texas Tech
- General Record: Texas Tech leads 7-2
- Current Streak: Texas Tech has won three straight meetings
- Last ACU Win: December 22, 2013 (58-57)
- Most Recent Matchup: December 19, 2018 (Texas Tech won 105-54)
Scouting Texas Tech
The Red Raiders have started their season with an impressive 4-0 record, securing victories against UIW, Houston Christian, New Mexico, and Washington State. All four wins came on their home court, highlighting their dominance at United Supermarkets Arena.
Head coach Krista Gerlich is in her fifth season at Texas Tech and her 19th season as general. She holds a 62-65 record with the Red Raiders and a general coaching record of 351-212.
Key Players for Texas Tech
Jasmine Shavers: Offensive Leader
Jasmine Shavers has been the primary scoring threat for Texas Tech, averaging 15.3 points per game. She is shooting 42.1% from the field and 30.4% from three-point range while also contributing four rebounds, one steal, and one assist per game. ACU’s defense will need to limit her opportunities to keep the game competitive.
Bailey Maupin: Versatile Scorer
Bailey Maupin has been another reliable offensive option for the Red Raiders, averaging 10.8 points per game with a 40% field goal percentage. Her ability to create shots will be a challenge for ACU’s defense.
Read also:- ACU Wildcats Head West to Wrap Up Regular Season Against GCU and CBU
