ABILENE, Texas – Five Lions scored in double figures and Southeastern Louisiana hit 54.2 percent of its field goal attempts, but Abilene Christian countered with 29-of-34 shooting from the free throw line on the way to defeating the Lions, 91-80, Sunday afternoon at Moody Coliseum.
 
Senior guard Zay Jackson and freshman guard Dimi Cook tied for game-high honors with 16 points each for the Lions (7-19, 5-8 Southland). Abilene Christian (12-15, 7-7 Southland) countered with five players of its own in double figures to avenge SLU's 81-60 win in Hammond on Feb. 6.
 
Jackson and Cook were joined in double figures by freshman guard Marlain Veal (15 points), junior forward Jordan Capps (14 points) and freshman forward Moses Greenwood (13 points). Capps also led the Lions with eight rebounds, while Veal dished out a team-high four assists.
 
Freshman guard Jalen Franklin led a balanced scoring attack for ACU with 15 points – all but four of which came from the free throw line. Franklin was joined in double figures by senior forward Austin Cooke (14 points), senior guard Jalen Little (12 points), freshman forward Jalen Lewis (10 points) and senior center Duran Porter (10 points). Franklin and Little also were credited with four assists, while Lewis pulled down eight boards.
 
The first eight minutes featured four ties and nine lead changes. With 11:43 left in the opening half, a bucket by Greenwood cut the Wildcat lead to 20-19. However, ACU took control with a 13-0 run. Porter capped the rally with a layup to push the Abilene advantage to 33-19 with 8:18 remaining in the opening half.
 
Southeastern would briefly cut the lead to single digits, getting as close as eight points in the first half. Abilene Christian went into the break with a 44-33 lead.
 
The Lions would cut the lead to single digits early in the second half. Southeastern cut the lead to 68-63 on a jumper by junior guard Joshua Filmore with 6:29 remaining.
 
However, ACU senior guard Parker Wentz hit a three to answer Filmore's bucket to push the lead back to 71-63. Southeastern would get no closer than seven down the stretch, as the Wildcats stretched the lead to as many as 16 points on the way to a 11-point victory.
 
Southeastern will now play its next three games at home. On Tuesday, the Lions will welcome UNO for a 7 p.m. contest in the University Center. Tuesday's game will be dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness and fans are encouraged to wear pink. The first 300 students will receive free food courtesy of Southeastern Athletics Student Marketing and Promotions.
 
Tuesday will also be a Cane's Challenge game, as if the Lions top 60 points, fans can take their ticket or student coupon to participating Raising Cane's by the end of business on Wednesday to receive a free combo with the purchase of another combo of equal or greater value.
 
Tuesday's game will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net, where LionVision subscribers will be able to access a live video stream of the Lions-Privateers matchup.