HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston women's basketball team could not overcome a strong second half by Abilene Christian on Saturday afternoon, falling 70-59, to the Wildcats in the WAC opener for both teams at Johnson Coliseum.
 
The Kats (5-7, 0-1 WAC) were playing for the first time since December 20 after having their first three games of league play altered due to COVID-19 issues, and got double-digit efforts from four players. They were led by a solid all-around performance from Kaylee Jefferson who finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
 
Madelyn Batista turned in a double-double with a dozen points and rebounds, along with three blocks of her own as well. Sydnee Kemp got the start and responded with 12 points and five assists of her own, while Faith Cook hit two of the Kats three 3-point baskets on her way to 11 points of her own.
 
On the other side, ACU (11-3, 1-0 WAC) did not get the benefit of a single point from its bench, but saw all five of its starters reach double figures, led by Taylor Morgan's game-high 21 points.
 
Things were all square at the half after Cook nailed a 3-point bucket from the left corner as time expired in the second quarter, sending the teams to the locker room tied at 34-34; however, the third quarter belonged to ACU with a 6-0 spurt late in the quarter pushing the lead to double digits for the first time in the game.
 
From there on out things stayed even the rest of the way with the Kats getting no closer than nine at any point in the final 10 minutes.
 
Sam Houston will now look to register its first win of WAC play on Thursday when it hosts Lamar. The game is set to tip off at 6:30 p.m. at Johnson Coliseum and will be aired on ESPN+.