ST. GEORGE, Utah — In a thrilling matchup, Hunter Jack Madden scored 18 points, leading the Abilene Christian Wildcats to a decisive 86-72 victory over Utah Tech on Thursday evening.

Madden not only contributed on the scoreboard but also made an impact defensively, recording three steals during the game. His performance was pivotal for the Wildcats, who improved their record to 10 wins and 13 losses, with a 2-6 standing in the Western Athletic Conference. Quion Williams also shone brightly, finishing with 18 points as he shot 7 of 14 from the field and converted 4 of 5 free throws. Leonardo Bettiol added to the offensive effort with 13 points, hitting 5 of 8 shots from the field and 3 of 4 from the charity stripe.

On the other side of the court, Beon Riley had a standout performance for the Utah Tech Trailblazers. He scored 17 points while collecting 12 rebounds and dishing out four assists, showcasing a versatile game. Noa Gonsalves contributed to Utah Tech’s efforts with 12 points and two steals. Samuel Ariyibi added nine points and made a notable defensive impact with three blocks. Unfortunately for the Trailblazers, this loss marked their sixth consecutive defeat, leaving them with a record of 6 wins and 17 losses, also sitting at 2-6 in the conference standings.

Looking ahead, both teams are set to face Southern Utah in their next games. Abilene Christian will travel for their matchup on Saturday, while Utah Tech will also be on the road, facing off against Southern Utah on Thursday.