Key Points
- ACU Wildcats lost 67-65 to California Baptist Lancers in a thrilling Western Athletic Conference (WAC) men’s basketball match on Saturday night in Riverside, California.
- The Wildcats led 57-55 with 1:57 remaining after sophomore Christian Alston’s second-chance lay-up, but CBU responded with five straight points.
- Bradyn Hubbard’s and-one play brought ACU within one point at 60-59 with 14 seconds left.
- A controversial short horn sounded after Hubbard’s free throw, causing brief confusion; CBU inbounded quickly, and play continued without stoppage, ticking away crucial seconds.
- CBU made two free throws to lead 65-62; Lancers then fouled ACU to prevent a three-pointer.
- Cbo Newton (also reported as Chilaydrien Newton) made 1-of-2 free throws; Cade Hornecker grabbed the offensive rebound but missed the put-back.
- ACU’s final possession with 2.4 seconds: Newton missed a long shot with a hand in his face.
- ACU records: 10-12 overall, 2-8 WAC; CBU: 18-6 overall, 8-3 WAC (first place).
- Stat pack: Christian Alston set career-high eight rebounds; ACU held CBU to 17/50 field goals (34%); Wildcats outscored Lancers 34-18 in paint; both teams 12 turnovers, ACU scored season-low 4 points off turnovers.
- Second loss this season for ACU when outrebounding opponent (entered 8-1).
- Bradyn Hubbard led ACU with 16 points, two offensive rebounds (nearing top 10 in ACU D1 era).
- CBS Sports/AP reports: CBU’s Dominique Daniels Jr. scored 21 points, 5 assists; Martel Williams 12 points; Jayden Jackson 9 points; eighth straight win for Lancers.
- ACU scoring per CBS: Hubbard 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals; Newton 12 points; Hornecker 11 points, 7 rebounds; seventh straight loss for Wildcats (noted as 10-13 overall in one report).
- Next: ACU hosts UT Arlington on ESPNU Thursday at 8 p.m. in Moody Coliseum – first ESPN linear broadcast of ACU home event.
Riverside (Cardiff Daily) February 08, 2026 – In a nail-biting Western Athletic Conference clash, the Abilene Christian University (ACU) Wildcats pushed first-place California Baptist University (CBU) Lancers to the brink before falling 67-65 on Saturday night. The Wildcats nearly pulled off the upset, holding a lead late, but controversial officiating and clutch plays by CBU sealed the narrow defeat for ACU, now grappling with back-to-back conference struggles.
What Happened in the Final Minutes?
The game hung in the balance at 55-55 when ACU sophomore Christian Alston converted a second-chance lay-up with 1:57 remaining, giving the Wildcats a 57-55 edge, as detailed in the official ACU report. CBU swiftly countered, scoring the next five points to reclaim the lead at 60-57.
With just 14 seconds on the clock, Bradyn Hubbard executed an and-one play, narrowing the gap to 60-59 after his free throw. As reported by ACU Sports, during Hubbard’s free-throw attempt (noted with a possible typo as “Hubbad”), head coach Brette Tanner signalled a substitution at the scorer’s table. Post-make, a short horn sounded, sparking confusion, but CBU inbounded promptly, and officials allowed play to continue, eroding precious seconds before ACU could foul.
CBU’s free throws extended their lead to 65-62, prompting the Lancers to foul ACU intentionally to avert a game-tying three. Cbo Newton sank the first free throw but rimmed the second; senior Cade Hornecker seized the offensive board, yet his put-back fell short as CBU deflected the ball out of bounds.
In the dying 2.4 seconds, Newton grabbed the inbound, spun, and launched a contested long shot that missed short, with the rebound carrying out as time expired.
Who Were the Key Performers?
Bradyn Hubbard spearheaded ACU’s effort with 16 points, including the critical late and-one, plus six rebounds and two steals per CBS Sports Associated Press recap; he also notched two offensive boards, inching towards ACU’s Division I top 10 career list. Chilaydrien Newton (Cbo Newton in ACU report) contributed 12 points, including the late free throw and final heave. Cade Hornecker added 11 points and seven rebounds, highlighted by the clutch offensive board.
For CBU, Dominique Daniels Jr. dominated with 21 points and five assists, sealing the win with late free throws after Jordan Muller’s three-pointer put them up 63-59 with 22 seconds left, according to the AP story on CBS Sports. Martel Williams tallied 12 points, while Jayden Jackson chipped in nine, powering the Lancers’ eighth consecutive victory.
Christian Alston shone on the glass with a career-high eight rebounds for ACU.
How Did the Teams Compare Statistically?
ACU’s defence stifled CBU to 17 made field goals on 34% shooting, a stout performance noted in the ACU stat pack. The Wildcats ruled the paint 34-18 and outrebounded their foes, yet suffered their second loss in such scenarios this season (previously 8-1).
Both sides committed 12 turnovers, but ACU managed only a season-low four points off them. CBS stats align with close contest: CBU at 18-6 overall, 8-3 WAC; ACU slipping to 10-12/10-13, 2-8.
What Controversy Affected the Game?
The pivotal moment centred on the post-and-one horn: after Hubbard’s make, the short buzz prompted a sub check, but CBU’s quick inbound and officials’ decision to continue play drained time, hindering ACU’s foul strategy, as recounted in depth by ACU Sports. Coach Brette Tanner’s substitution call amid the free throw amplified the sequence’s chaos. No further official review or statement emerged from reports.
Why Is This Loss Significant for ACU?
This marked ACU’s seventh straight defeat per CBS/AP, dropping them to 2-8 in WAC play amid a tough stretch. Despite leading late against the conference leaders, the Wildcats (10-12 overall) faltered in crunch time, underscoring execution issues. Positively, their paint dominance and defensive field-goal clamp showcased resilience.
CBU solidified first place at 18-6, 8-3, extending their win streak to eight.
What’s Next for the Wildcats?
ACU returns home to Moody Coliseum for a landmark Thursday clash versus UT Arlington on ESPNU at 8 p.m., the first linear ESPN broadcast of a Wildcats home event. Officials urge fans to pack the house for “Moody Madness” on national TV.
This matchup offers ACU a chance to snap their skid before a national audience.
Broader Context: Rivalry and Season Form?
ACU and CBU have clashed frequently in WAC, with CBU holding recent edges, including an earlier 83-60 win. CBU’s eighth straight victory cements their atop standings. ACU’s late push highlights potential, despite the record.
As per ESPN game logs, these teams met in January 2026 (CBU 74-58 win at ACU), underscoring the rivalry’s intensity
