The Optimist Print Edition 01.18.19 (Volume CVIII, Issue XVI)

OPTIMIST

@acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist

MLK DAY Campus closes to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Abilene hosts the annual MLK march.

A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912

Volume CVIII, Issue XVI

Friday January 18, 2019

News

Sports

The Hudson Wade 5k is set for the spring semester, and the MakerLab is hosting an Adobe Illustrator class. Theatre students will perform in the 24-hour musical.......................................................................Page 2

Men’s basketball returns Jalone Friday and continues a successful season, while the women defeats the HBU Huskies on the road. Women’s tennis begins their season on the road..........................................................Page 6

F S S M T W T Feature After overcoming self-doubt and the challenges of being a single mother of two, Courtney Bradford is set to become the black first female paramedic in Abilene................................................Page 4

The women’s basketball team celebrates a successful play during a timeout against Arkansas. (Photo by Nicholas Cromwell) CAMPUS NEWS

Student arrested on child porn charges LAUREN FRANCO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Abilene Police Department Cyber Crimes unit, alongside ACUPD, arrested Jacob Hutchison for second degree felony distribution of child pornography and third degree felony possession of child pornography.

Hutchison, a sophomore nursing major, targeted social media apps popular with teens, such as KiK, TikToc, SnapChat and Dropbox for distribution, according to a police report issued on Jan. 16. He was also found to be in possession of videos containing child pornography.

“Detectives with the Cyber Crimes Unit received information that led them to believe a subject in Abilene was distributing child pornography.

Detectives worked closely with the ACU Police Department to identify the subject and to develop a safe plan to apprehend him,” said Rick Tomlin, public information coordinator, in the press release.

Both departments were investigating for about three weeks when they discovered that images of child pornography were being accessed through various social media sites by someone using an ACU IP address, according to ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison.

SEE ARREST PAGE 2

Cooke leaves behind legacy of passion DILLON DANIEL STAFF WRITER

Longtime ag riculture and environmental professor Dr. James “Jim” Cooke Cooke passed away Jan. 13 in Abilene after a short illness. He was 69 years old.

Jim Cooke was not just passionate about his work, but passionate to drive others in their work as well, said family and friends.

“His two favorite things were working and playing,” said his wife, Cynthia Cooke. “As a professor, he worked hard to provide courses students would be challenged by. He wanted students to learn through their own lenses.”

Although passionate

about his work, Jim Cooke made time to do the things he loved, mostly involving being outdoors and spending time with grandkids, nieces and nephews.

Cynthia Cooke said raising his children, having a loving family and finding ways to serve other people were Jim Cooke’s most significant accomplishments “He leaves a great legacy in that way. The impact he’s had on thousands of students is something he would cherish. Former students have reached out back to him in appreciation, some even calling him a mentor.”

She said her husband lived a life representative of his favorite passage of the Bible, Luke 10:27: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your

Dr. Jim Cooke organized a Cedar Creek Waterway cleanup project in 2013.

mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.”

“He loved the Lord and wanted to be the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth, and he believed others should be good stewards of the planet God put us on.”

Cooke is survived by his wife and their three

children, Emily and Jacob Wardell and their children, Witten, Jackson and Ella, Jennifer and David McMillian and their children, Brooklyn, David and Maddy, and Jonathan and Emily Cooke, as well as his “adopted” daughter, Anita Vigil. He is also survived

by two sisters, Cate Dudley, and her husband Mike, and Cary MacMahon and her husband, Ray, and by several nieces and nephews.

Cooke’s legacy will be continued by his family and friends through the Jim and Cynthia Endowed Scholarship.

SGA cancels tentative awareness week LAUREN FRANCO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Despite planning a new awareness week since November, SGA decided to cancel the events.

Ty Kelley, executive president, said SGA had plans to host an awareness week where each day, a topic trending in society would be highlighted including, mental health awareness, cultural awareness and sexual assault awareness. Each day was planned to have relevant Chapel speakers

alongside organizations pertaining to each topic.

Because Christmas break cut into planning time, and their desire to give proper attention to each subject, SGA decided to cancel awareness week.

“We didn’t want to diminish any of the topics, so in order to preserve the importance of each one, we decided against hosting the event because it was going to be so soon,” Kelley said. “To come back from break and try to find qualified speakers that were go-

ing to speak into the topic in a Christlike manner and actually impact students, we didn’t want to rush that process.”

Kelley said administration agreed with the decision.

“We don’t currently have any plans to continue awareness week because the time frame of the spring semester, especially with Sing Song and freshman pledging,” Kelley said. “We figured it would be better for us to let another cabinet take it on.”

SGA is still planning a

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partnership with the online service, TimelyMD, who just launched counseling services online 24/7. It was supposed to be part of awareness week, but Kelley said they still wanted a mental health awareness day, tentatively before Sing Song.

“It’s a tangible way that students can get help immediately,” Kelley said.

Kelley also said when they were making the decision to cancel, they felt that all of the bases were covered.

The Title IX office hosts events and speakers during Sexual Assault Awareness month in April, the Office of Multicultural Affairs is hosting and sponsoring events during Black History Month in February and the International Justice Mission hosts Justice Week toward the end of February.

“A lot of organizations on campus are already spearheading this, and we didn’t want to interfere with the work that they were already doing,” Kelley said.

Page 2 | Campus News Events

Friday 01/18 1. Admitted Student Day 2. Block students - last day to add/drop within the block 3. New Students -last day to register for class Saturday 01/19 1. Men’s Basketball vs.

Northwestern State Monday 01/21 1. MLK Holiday (Campus Closed) 2. Last day to check in Tuesday 01/22 1. Non-block students 80 percent refund begins Wednesday 01/23 1. ACU Womens Basketball vs Stephen F. Austin

49

days until Spring break

Friday, January 18, 2018 CAMPUS NEWS

Maker Lab to host Adobe Illustrator class “ EMMA CONATSER

We’re trying to catch people that aren’t our normal audience. It’s dedicated to software, but is absolutely open for beginners.”

COPY EDITOR

The Maker Lab will host a class to teach students how to use Adobe Illustrator at noon on Monday.

Previously, the Maker Lab has offered workshops in different realms of creative projects. Whether it’s stringed instrument building or crafting bluetooth speakers, registration spots are quickly taken when a new project is announced.

The new project series will accommodate people of varying experience levels. Located in Brown Library’s Innovation Foundry, the tutorial will focus on the use of Adobe Illustrator. The

DARREN WILSON DIRECTOR OF THE MAKER LAB

class will be led by Darren Wilson, director of the Maker Lab. “We’re trying to catch people that aren’t our normal audience,” Wilson said. “It’s dedicated to software, but is absolutely open for beginners.”

Wilson said the Maker Lab began hosting learning workshops to help all students feel welcome to learn and create.

“We want to lower the apprehension level,” Wilson said. “It’s definitely open to people with no experience.”

During the session, attendees will learn how to set up a project on the laser cutter through Adobe Illustrator. The tutorial will focus on the software and how it can be applied to projects in the Maker Lab. Wilson said he plans to help faculty, staff and students gain knowledge of the software and projects that can stem from it.

Wilson said he hopes to see beginners attend the workshop eager to learn about this facet of creating projects in the Maker Lab.

Photo by RILEY FISHER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Kipp Bangham, freshman biology major, shows Sydney Carr, freshman ministry and vocation major, how to program a job on the Epilog laser in the Maker Lab.

CAMPUS NEWS

Annual Hudson Wade 5K recheduled for spring

KACU drops McAlister

BRIAN SWEET STAFF REPORTER

LAUREN FRANCO

The fourth annual Hudson Wade 5K has been rescheduled for the spring semester.

Originally scheduled to take place on Dec. 8, 2018, the 5K was canceled due to a winter storm and icy roads.

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), decided to cancel the run for the safety of the runners and push the event to the spring.

Josh Fink, president of SAAC, said the main priority of the first meeting this semester is finalizing details in preparation for the 5K. The 5K’s route will start at the Hardin Administration Building. Participants will take a lap and a half around the Lunsford, finishing at the Hunter Welcome Center.

In its three years, the HW5K has raised more than $15,000 for cancer research.

Kyle Karnei, former SAAC president and ACU

After reviewing City Councilmember Kyle McAlister’s race-related remarks on Facebook, KACU decided it will no longer air his show, “NightSounds with Kyle McAlister.”

“We condemn these offensive statements,” said Nathan Gibbs, general manager of KACU in a press release.

“While he never said anything like this on the air, he still represents KACU in the community as one of its hosts.”

Gibbs said he appreciates the dedication McAlister put into his late-night music program and for frequently participating in fundraising activities to help the station.

“We believe strongly in embracing diversity and these comments go against our core values,” said Gibbs in the statement.

KACU is a public radio station operated on campus in the Don Morris Building, and “NightSounds with Kyle McAlister” aired Sunday evenings from 11

Arrest: Student facing felonies Continued from Page 1 “ACUPD worked diligently to determine the source of the web usage and the person responsible,” Ellison said. “Once that information was developed, we continued to work with APD Cyber Crimes and assisted them with the case as it developed. We appreciate their assistance and partnership as we all work to keep our communities safe. ACU administrators will be reviewing Hutchison’s status at ACU.” Hutchison was taken into custody in his dorm room at Smith Hall, said Ellison.

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Courtesy of ISIAH TRIPP Kyle Karnei and the Wade family

“

We started it when Hudson was still alive and as a way to rally around him and show our support for him,”

KYLE KARNEI FORMER SAAC PRESIDENT ACU ALUMNUS

alumnus, said he is happy he was able to create this event in honor of Hudson and to see it continue to succeed after his graduation.

“We started it when Hudson was still alive and as a way to rally around him and show our support for him,” Karnei said. “But since he’s

passed, it’s been a way for us to tell his story and to honor the life that he lived... he inspired so many people through a terrible disease.”

Fink said the 5K is a great opportunity to give back to cancer research.

“I’ve been able to talk with Hudson’s family and Kyle Karnei has told me a lot about his experience,” Fink said. “It’s been an honor to be in charge of it and help put it on and the impact it has to tell Hudson’s story.”

Lance Fleming, associate director of athletics for media relations, said he is hon-

ored that the money raised from the 5K is going to a good cause.

“We are honored anytime our foundation is on the receiving end of donations that will help the P4X Foundation make an impact on our community,” Fleming said. “We’ve seen so much good come from gifts we’ve been entrusted with and we’re always humbled to be able to help families and children who need help while fighting cancer.”

The participation cost is $20 with proceeds going to the P4X foundation for cancer research.

p.m. to midnight. McAlister served as a volunteer music host and not as an employee of KACU or the university.

On Jan. 9, Mayor Anthony Williams and McAlister addressed the posts in a press conference.

“Those posts were not only inappropriate, they were offensive. They offended me,” Williams said.

“In the strongest way I can, I want to condemn those posts. I’m embarrassed for the city, I’m embarrassed for councilman McAlister. This is not who we are.”

McAlister spoke after Williams.

“I do realize that many of those comments, some going back nine years, have cause the people in this community a lot of pain. It was thoughtless, it was insensitive, it shows no understanding of what a lot of people have gone through and continue to go through,” McAlister said.

McAlister filed for reelection Wednesday morning for the May 4 City Council elections, making him the first to do so.

Theatre students look forward to play in 24-hour musical HANNAH JOHNSON STAFF REPORTER

The 24-Hour Musical will take place on Sunday at 7 p.m. in Fulks Theatre, with proceeds going to Living Water International.

The 24-Hour Musical, led by students, is a show in which the cast does not know what musical to rehearse for until 24 hours prior to showtime. The audience will not know what musical is being performed until it starts.

The officers of Alpha Psi Omega, the national organization for theatre students, lead the production team.

Victoria Steffins, junior musical theatre major from West Monroe, Louisiana, and president of Alpha Psi Omega, has previously performed in two 24-hour musicals and will produce the upcoming musical while acting in an ensemble role.

“I’ve never been on the watching side of it,” Steffins said. “But I’ve heard from many people that have watched it that is is well worth your time.”

Dawne Meeks, chair of the theatre program, said ACU’s theatre department is not the first to use the concept of the 24-Hour Musical.

“It’s such a unique activity though,” Meeks said. “Our students absolutely love it.”

Meeks said students use their art to give back to the community.

The tickets are free, but proceeds from donations go to a chosen cause. Steffins confirmed this year’s proceeds will go to Living Water International, an organization that brings clean well water to twenty-one countries and is based in Houston.

Meeks said students outside of the theatre department are welcome to perform in the musical.

“It’s a great way for the uni-

versity community to come together,” Meeks said.

Steffins said working in the musical can be tiring. But she said there are benefits with putting in the work.

“It is rewarding just to see people of different departments and just all types of differences coming together and working on something that’s just fun overall,” Steffins said.

In recent years, the Fulks Theatre has filled enough seats to create a fire hazard concern.

Steffins said the theatre department is in the process of deciding on a larger location for next year’s 24-Hour Musical.

“

It is rewarding just to see people of different departments and just all types of differences coming together and working on something that’s just fun overall.”

VICTORIA STEFFINS JUNIOR MUSICAL THEATRE MAJOR FROM WEST MONROE, LOUISIANA

“We were thinking about Cullen, but that is also something that’s on reserve,” Steffins said.

Steffins said concerns about sound and set movement accompany the idea of Cullen Auditorium, and that no final decision has been made.

POLICE LOG SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 01/03/2019 7:25 p.m ACUPD Officers responded to the 500 blk of EN 20th in reference a noise violation. The tenants were identified and advised of the complaint.

01/06/2019 4:00 p.m.

ACUPD Officers responded to the 600 blk of Bacon Dr in reference to a domestic disturbance with a family member. Officer made contact with the subject and he was advised.

01/06/2019 4:45 p.m.

An ACU student reported that someone struck her vehicle while it was parked in the 600 blk EN 18th St. 911 CALL............................................................2 ABANDONED VEHICLE....................0 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY.........................................................41 ADVICE...............................................................1 ALARM...............................................................3 ANIMAL CALL.............................................0 ASSIST.................................................................1 ATTEMPT TO LOCATE..........................0 BARRICADES..............................................5 BOOT/UNBOOT VEHICLE...............0 BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK.......................................10 BURGLARY(RESIDENCE).................2 CART PATROL.............................................6

CHECK BUILDING............................403 DIRECT TRAFFIC......................................3 DISTURBANCE............................................1 DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE..............1 ESCORT............................................................4 FOOT PATROL..............................................1 FOUND PROPERTY..............................12 HAZING.............................................................0 INFORMATION REPORT...................2 INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP...............................................13 LOST PROPERTY......................................2 MAINTENANCE: UNIV ASSETS.................................................1 MEDICAL EMERGENCY.....................3

MONITOR FACILITY/ LOT......................................................................16 MOTORIST ASSIST: INFLATE TIRE................................................1 MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMPSTART..................................................7 MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK...........................................................2 OTHER...............................................................2 PARKING LOT PATROL....................38 PARKING VIOLATION..........................11 PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTENANCE.........................................6 PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL...........................................................10

PROWLER......................................................0 RANDOM PATROL.................................0 REPORT WRITING................................18 SEX OFFENCE..............................................1 STAND BY.......................................................0 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY.........................2 THEFT.................................................................2 TRAFFIC HAZARD...................................0 TRAFFIC STOP............................................6 TRAINING........................................................4 VEHICLE COLLISION............................3 WELFARE CHECK...................................3

TOTAL...........................................................481

Chief Ellison’s Weekly Tip ACUPD welcomes everyone back. If you brought a new car back from Christmas, remember to get a current parking permit for it.

Friday, January 18, 2019

News | Page 3

CAMPUS NEWS

Locker room renovations completed in time for baseball season home opener BREVEN CAMPBELL SPORTS REPORTER

Images of complete renovations to the baseball locker room were released Sunday, showing a new look from the floor to the ceiling.

Renovations began at the end of the fall semester when baseball coach Rich McCarty told the players to clear out until the start of the spring semester.

Renovation costs totaled just over $100,000.

The costs included a paint job, lockers, carpet, graphics, technology and more space.

Previously, a storage room occupied nearly half of the locker room. The removal of the storage room will create more space for the team.

McCarty and his coaching staff were not afraid to get their hands dirty themselves; they spent much of the break painting and contributing to the renovations.

Drew Long, deputy director of athletics, said he believes the new locker room is only the beginning to a great future for Wildcat baseball.

“With the addition of the locker room and what

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The baseball locker room was completed over Christmas break

we already have going on with the field, it puts us right at the top,” Long said. “This can set us apart not only from a recruiting standpoint but a retention standpoint as well for student-athletes.”

Different from other renovations to ACU athletics locker rooms and facilities, the baseball locker room was completely remodeled.

Other renovations have included new lockers or paint jobs, but not a reframing of the facility.

McCarty said the purpose of the renovation was to make the locker room a team atmosphere and a space the players are proud to be a part of.

The team will look ahead to the season as they begin at home against Bryant University on Feb. 15.

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s r ou H 9 1 0 2 pring

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MON-THU 10:30AM-9PM FRI-SUN 10:30AM-3PM

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7AM-3PM 7AM-1PM CLOSED

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MON-THU 7AM-3PM FRI 7AM-1PM SAT-SUN CLOSED

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Hours subject to change without notice due to University events and holidays. Visit dineoncampus.com/DineACU for updated hours information.

The storage room was removed to open more space.

ABILENE NEWS

Abilene celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day ASHLEY ALFRED SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

The Abilene community will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with several events focusing on the history of the civil rights movement.

The Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action hosted two events focused on the history of the civil rights movement this week.

At the first event, on Wednesday, attendees joined the Carl Spain Center in watching “Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story,” a documentary on the life of theologian, Howard Thurman, who used his expression of religion to spark change during the civil rights movement.

The documentary was followed by a panel session featuring Martin Doblmeier, the documentary filmmaker.

The Carl Spain Center hosted its second event on Thursday with the help of the Department of History and Global Studies – a lecture led by Dr. Julie L. Holcomb, graduate program director and associate professor of museum studies at Baylor University.

Holcomb’s lecture, titled “Fit for Freedom, Fit for Friendship: African American and Quaker Cooperation in the Antislavery Movement,” discussed the history of the civil rights movement and the importance of social change.

Dr. Ron Morgan, chair of the Department of History and Global Studies, said he hopes the students in attendance will emerge challenged to translate their Christian

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We are excited to be enriching the life of our community with more attention to the social world around us” RON MORGAN CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND GLOBAL STUDIES

faith into action toward social change.

“I hope they gain a greater awareness of the importance of social action that is the fruit of Christian conviction and the importance of interracial friendship and partnership in combating racism, complacency in the church, and other social ills,” Morgan said.

Morgan said the Carl Spain Center will continue to bring events to campus to raise awareness with the help of the university’s new options for minors in gender and multicultural studies, Latin American studies, and European cultural studies.

“We are excited to be enriching the life of our community with more attention to the social world around us,” said Morgan.

The city of Abilene will host multiple events on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The annual Martin Luther King march will begin on Highway 80 at the King Memorial and pass over the MLK Bridge on Monday from 1-3 p.m.

The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Celebration will take place on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Abilene Convention Center. The celebration will feature Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, Texas house representative, as the guest speaker.

Tickets are $37 for an individual and $350 for a table.

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Page 4 | Feature

Friday, January 18, 2019

BREAKING BARRIERS Bradford set to become the first black female paramedic in Abilene

LAUREN FRANCO EDITOR IN CHIEF

I

conquered the self-doubt, and now the sky is the limit.”

Set to be the first black female paramedic in Abilene, Courtney Bradford will graduate from Texas State Technical College in April, and test for her license in May. Courtney originally attended Prairie View A&M as a pre-medical biology major to become an anesthesiologist, but she became pregnant with her first child and dropped out. In 2016, she went back to be a phlebotomist, but would walk by the Emergency Medical Services room on her way to class and crave the adrenaline that came with the occupation.

“I’m an adrenaline junkie, I love getting something different. Thats what really drew me to it. I love people and love knowing that I could be the person you would call in an emergency. I could do this until I’m 60 years old if my body holds up. I’m totally comfortable and I love it.” s single parent of two, an 11-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter, both of whom are active in multiple sports, Courtney said it gets difficult to juggle being a mom, student and coworker.

“Our program is a year and a half, so there’s so many nights I’m up until three in the morning eating chips and trying to study – anything to stay awake.”

In addition to her studies and taking care of her kids, Courtney works part time as an EMT, usually picking up 12-hour shifts.

She wakes up early to have her kids ready for the day so her mom can take them to school while she heads to work.

A typical day consists of five to eight calls in which a duo – EMT and paramedic – are dispatched to a scene. Courtney said it comes naturally for her to clear her mind and suppress her nerves on the way to answer to an emergency call, but it isn’t that way for everyone.

“You have to realize it’s an emergency to them, but not necessarily for me,” she said. “You have to learn to distinguish those two so that you don’t get in your head about the situation. I connect with people easily so I don’t get freaked out or grossed out. I can’t speak for every paramedic, we all have those things that make us uneasy, we all have strong points and weak points. For me personally, I love people, so it’s not a problem.” sing her faith to overcome the things she sees on a regular basis has helped her to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

As an EMT, she said they see a lot of death, more than most others because they are always first to the scene and see the raw, horrific tragedies.

“You have to remember that God has the last say,” she said. “You can be the most skilled person, you can be the most prepared person, but if God says it’s time, there’s nothing in the world you can do about it. So with me having faith in God and that he is our Almighty, I have peace that I did everything I was supposed to do. Of course, there’s tears, it’s hard not to shed tears, but you have a peace with God.” Courtney said the hardest thing to overcome is self-doubt. A lot of times, she gets sucked into feeling mediocre as she thinks about everyday life things such as paying the bills and making sure her kids are well-off.

“Sometimes when you become a single parent, you think there’s nothing else for you, you put yourself on the back-burner and think there’s nothing else for you,” she said. “That was something I had to overcome. It took me awhile to get it.”

Courtney jokingly said her favorite hobby is

A

U

PHOTO BY: LAUREN FRANCO | EDITOR IN CHIEF

Courtney Bradford is set to become the first black feamle paramedic in Abilene. She has overcome trials, used her faith in God and love for people to find natual success in the medical field. sleeping or watching Netflix, but she truly enjoys taking her kids out to do things when she isn’t working. Most of her weekends are spent traveling to different sporting events for both her son and daughter, who are both ranked track runners in Texas.

“Once you get to a job like mine, you have to be careful what you do and who you’re around. You have to hold yourself to a certain type of standard.” hough she will be the first black female paramedic, she is the third to be an EMT, and the only black female in EMS at the moment – something she didn’t realize until her professors told her. Courtney said a lot of other minorities have a bad perception of first responders based on their experiences, and sometimes they don’t have the drive for it.

“There’s no reason it’s 2019 and Abilene is just now getting a black female paramedic.”

Looking forward, Courtney said she wants to spend a year or two in Abilene to gain experience, but wants to leave her lifelong home for the big city. Eventually, she’d like to be a flight paramedic, which only requires some training, an entry exam and three years of being a para-

T

EDITORIAL AND LETTER POLICY Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

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THE

medic. She also wants better opportunities for her kids with better schooling. ourtney said getting where she wants to be has taken much sacrifice, one of the hardest parts including letting naysayers be naysayers and moving toward her goals in silence. She hopes others can see her story and realize what they are capable of.

“If it’s really what you want to do, don’t let anyone get in the way of it,” she said. “Your best way to shut someone up is through your actions. You don’t have to voice anything, just do it. Remember what your goal is.

“I’ll be 33 years old in November. It can be done.

I’ve done it with two kids who are super active. I’ve stayed up for hours studying and crying. There are several times I’ve thought, ‘I’m done, here’s the towel,’ and I had to step back and realize, this is what makes me happy and I have to keep pushing.”

Courtney said sometimes when you get yourself going on the right track, Satan comes in every direction. It is important to realize people can’t stop you from your goal when you’re achieving something for yourself.

“Nothing good comes easy.”

C

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Friday, January 18, 2019

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Page 6 | Sports

Friday, January 18, 2019

M. BASKETBALL

Friday’s return springs Wildcats to victory MAX PRESTON SPORTS DIRECTOR

After a three-game road stretch without redshirt junior center Jalone Friday, the Wildcats defeated Houston Baptist 75-68 off of Friday’s 21 points.

The Huskies stayed close with the Wildcats in the first half and allowed them to only extend to a seven point lead twice.

HBU nearly claimed the lead going into halftime, but a jumper by Jaylen Franklin with 29 second left put the Wildcats ahead 34-33 before the half.

The Wildcats held the lead for most of the second half, however, with 7:31 left in the game sophomore Ian Dubose put HBU ahead 61-59 with a three-pointer.

With 3:37 left, ACU worked the score to a tie at 63 after a tip in shot by Jaren Lewis. From that point to the end of the game, the men outscored the Huskies 12-5 to eventually claim the victory.

When up 67-64, redshirt junior B.J. Maxwell hit an important three-pointer with 1:33 left in the game to give his team a comfortable 70-64 lead. Two free

throws at the end by Friday and senior forward Jaren Lewis sealed the win for the Wildcats.

Head coach Joe Golding said he was pleased to see his team step up in another tight game.

“It was another Southland Conference game, it seems like every game has come down to the last four minutes,” Golding said. “We were able to make more plays than them down the stretch and I thought some guys stepped up and made some big plays.”

Wednesday’s victory improved ACU to 15-3 on the year and 4-1 in conference, while the Huskies fell to 5-10 overall and 1-3 in Southland.

Friday finished with 50 percent shooting making eight of his 16 shots. He also hit two three-pointers in the game and grabbed eight rebounds. Lewis was a perfect four for four from the field with a three-pointer and 13 points. Senior guard Jaylen Franklin also had a productive night with seven points, seven assists and four steals.

Golding said it was a big help having Friday back.

STANDINGS Women’s Basketball Team

Ovrl.

Lamar SFA ACU TAMU-CC Nicholls SHSU SLU HBU NWSU UIW UCA UNO McNeese

Div. 5-0 4-0 4-1 3-1 3-2 2-2 2-2 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-4 1-4 1-4

12-4 13-3 11-5 9-6 9-8 7-7 7-8 6-8 6-9 1-14 6-9 5-9 3-13

Men’s Basketball Team

Redshirt junior Jalone Friday scored 21 points in his return against Houston Baptist Wednesday night.

“I think he was ready to go tonight and he knew the guys had his back in the game,” Golding said.

“I thought he was good tonight, I was trying to get used to playing with him again, but I thought he had a great second half.”

The Wildcats will remain at home Saturday to host Northwestern State. The

Demons sit at 7-10 overall and 2-2 in conference.

Senior forward Ishmael Lane has been the standout player for NSU this season averaging a team leading 12.1 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game.

He’s also been impressive on defense blocking 28 shots in 17 games giving him an average of 1.65.

The Demons are coming off a victory over No. 1 ranked Southland preseason team Stephen F. Austin on the road last Saturday.

NSU was off Wednesday for its bye week and will face ACU for its first game since beating SFA. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. in Moody and coverage can be heard on 98.1 FM.

W. BASKETBALL

Ovrl.

SHSU ACU UNO Nicholls UCA TAMU-CC NWSU McNeese SFA UIW HBU SLU Lamar

9-8 15-3 9-7 10-8 8-10 7-10 7-10 6-12 8-8 6-11 5-10 5-12 8-10

Div. 4-0 4-1 4-1 3-2 3-2 2-2 2-2 2-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Basketball

Strong 3rd quarter propels ACU over Houston Baptist OWEN SIMPSON SPORTS REPORTER

The women’s basketball team left Sharp Gymnasium in Houston on Wednesday night with a hard-fought 72-62 win against Houston Baptist. That victory moves the Wildcats to 11-5 on the season and tied for first in the Southland Conference.

ACU shot 42 percent from the court, draining six threes in its rout of the Huskies and led for over 35 minutes of the game.

However, they struggled to control the ball, allowing 18 turnovers.

Junior forward Dominique Golightly led the way for ACU, scoring 20 points off 7-12 shooting and six rebounds and adding to her impressive night. Junior forward Lexi Ducat also shined, finishing with 17

Women’s tennis falls twice in Metroplex

points and 12 rebounds, her second double-double of the season.

Both teams were off to slow starts in the first quarter.

ACU shot 6-17 compared to HBU’s 4-16, giving the Wildcats a 12-8 lead heading into

the second quarter.

Houston Baptist answered back before halftime with 15 bench points in the quarter and taking advantage of the Wildcats poor shooting. The Huskies took their first lead of the game

near the end of the quarter and held a 28-27 lead heading into the locker room.

Senior guard Sara Williamson said she was proud of her team getting another road victory.

“We had a rough first

half offensively with not a lot of our shots falling, but I’m extremely proud of how we came out in the second half and set the tone immediately,” Williamson said. “Brea hit a couple threes and we got stops on defense. Winning on the road is not easy in the Southland, but I’m proud of how we came in, fought and got the win.”

The Wildcats came out with far more intensity after halftime scoring 25 points in the third quarter alone and shooting 56 percent from the court and increasing their lead to 12. Houston Baptist had no answer in the fourth quarter as they fall to 6-8 on the season.

Up next, the Wildcats visit Natchitoches, Louisiana, at 1 p.m. Saturday to face Northwestern State, which sits at 6-9 on the season.

MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2018 STATS

ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

75.9

POINTS PER GAME

72.6

15.9

ASSISTS PG

10.4

32.3

REBOUNDS PG

36.8

63.6 POINTS ALLOWED PG 64.9

(15–3)

MAX PRESTON SPORTS DIRECTOR

OWEN SIMPSON SPORTS REPORTER

NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY (7-10)

BREVEN CAMPBELL SPORTS REPORTER

BRIAN SWEET SPORTS REPORTER

The Southland Conference has been an unpredictable league so far, and it’s hard to tell exactly who’s good as many upsets have unfolded to begin this season. I believe the Wildcats are for real though, especially after seeing a strong team victory over HBU Wednesday. ACU had to go without Jalone Friday on a three-game road trip the past week, which was obviously a challenge for the men. They still came out with two victories and loss against Sam Houston that could have gone either way. Friday is back now, however, and posted a solid 21 points in his return that helped the team get the win. With Friday now back in the lineup and completing a true starting five for the Wildcats, this team is destined for a win Saturday and more to come in the remainder of the season. The men will have to deal with Northwestern State’s Ishmael Lane who is leading his team with 12.1 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game. If the Wildcats can bottle him up, they take this game in front of their home crowd this weekend.

ACU will be battling for control of first place in the Southland conference Saturday night as it faces Northwestern State. The Demons are coming off a hard fought win at Stephen F. Austin last Saturday and have had time to rest this entire week. Senior Center Ishmael Lane for the Demons will be a key focus for ACU as he’s been having one of his best season thus far averaging 12 points per game and 8 rebounds. The Wildcats are on an impressive stretch this year however. ACU has been impressive at finishing games winning its last six of seven matches with five of those being 10 points or closer. With Senior forward Jaren Lewis leading the way for the Wildcats and as a team shooting 49% and over 40% behind the arc, ACU grabs its 4th consecutive win. Nevertheless, don’t expect the Demons to go without a fight.

ACU is off to a strong start in conference play, only losing to Sam Houston State in the conference opener. They look to improve to 5-1 this Saturday when they face Northwestern State. Northwestern State looks to prove themselves after a mediocre start at 2-2 in conference play. The matchup to watch is Jalone Friday and Northwestern States Ishmael Lane. Friday, who scored 21 in the win Wednesday against Houston Baptist, looks to continue to shine after his return. If ACU wants to improve to 5-1, Friday will need to dominate the matchup against Lane. ACU will come out fast and take the lead early and they will not give it up throughout the game. The Demons will come out looking to prove themselves, but ACU will put their foot on the gas early and never let up.

ACU has to keep their guard up against the Demons as they come into town on Saturday night. This year in Southland Conference basketball any team can lose on any given night and that is why we need to keep seeing strong games f rom Jalone Friday down in the post. The Demons have a very good center in Senior Ishmael Lane as he is having a career Senior year. The Wildcats has gone down to the wire in all of their conference games so far this year. A couple of years ago, they probably wouldn’t have come out on top in any of these game. The veteran leadership and grit that they display in every close game has helped them win all of these close games.

The Wildcats just have to come out strong against the Demons and keep pounding away at them, if the Wildcats do this, they will exorcise the Demons back to Natchitoches, Louisiana.

FINAL SCORE: ACU 80 NWSU 72

FINAL SCORE: ACU 73 NWSU 67

FINAL SCORE: ACU 77 NWSU 68

FINAL SCORE: ACU 85 NWSU 72

Friday Redshirt junior Jalone Friday returned to action after a suspension Wednesday and played an important role in ACU’s win over HBU. Friday scored 21 points hitting eight of his 16 shots with two three-pointers made in the game. He also came away with eight rebounds and a block in his return.

Friday and the Wildcats will stay at home Saturday to host Northwestern State at 6 p.m.

Basketball

Ricks Through 18 games played, Junior guard Payten Ricks has found his way to 28th in the nation in three point shooting at 49 percent. He was also named Southland Conference Player of the Week for his efforts against McNeese and Southeastern Louisiana the previous week. He converted on f ive three-pointers and f inished with 19 points against McNeese.

Against Southeastern Louisiana, he played hero and hit the game winning three-pointer in the closing seconds. He f inished with 22 points and was four for four on three-pointers.

Basketball

Williamson Senior guard Sara Williamson has had an impressive year so far, sitting at 11th in the nation in field goal percentage. She is shooting 62 percent from the field and is only .2 percent away from cracking the top ten. Williamson has made 80 shots, the most on the team, out of 129 attempts, the fourth most on the team. She is averaging 13 points per game and has scored a total 208 points in 16 games. Her team will next face Northwestern State on the road Saturday.