LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — In a Western Athletic Conference tournament clash defined by physicality and a parade to the free-throw line, the Abilene Christian Wildcats outlasted the Tarleton State Texans 84-78 on Wednesday at Orleans Arena.

The game, which saw both teams finish their seasons with identical 14-18 records, was a stark contrast in halves. Abilene Christian built a commanding 14-point lead by halftime, only to withstand a furious second-half rally from Tarleton State that turned a potential blowout into a tense, foul-plagued final minute.

The Wildcats seized control early with efficient offense and disruptive defense, forcing the Texans into a disjointed opening period. Tarleton State managed just 25 points in the first half, shooting poorly from the field while Abilene Christian’s Yaniel Rivera heated up. The guard from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, scored 11 of his team-high 20 points before the break, including a trio of three-pointers that helped stake the Wildcats to a 39-25 advantage.

The most important part of the game, however, was not the first-half separation but the Wildcats’ resilience in the final minutes after the Texans’ explosive comeback. Tarleton State, led by the dynamic scoring of guard Dior Johnson, completely flipped the script after halftime. Johnson, a Kingston, New York native, poured in 28 points, with 22 coming in the second half. His aggressive drives and playmaking fueled a 53-point second-half outburst for the Texans, who erased the double-digit deficit and turned the game into a possession-by-possession fight.

Tarleton State’s Jordan Mizell, who finished with 10 points, hit a jump shot with 1:56 remaining to pull the Texans within a single point at 75-74. The game then devolved into a free-throw shooting contest, with the final 1:41 featuring eight foul calls and 16 free-throw attempts between the two teams. The Wildcats’ superior performance at the line proved decisive.

Abilene Christian, which attempted 45 free throws to Tarleton State’s 35, made 33 of them. In the critical closing sequence, the Wildcats went 9-for-10 from the stripe. Rivera, Rich Smith, and Bradyn Hubbard all converted crucial attempts to keep the Texans at bay. Tarleton State, meanwhile, missed key opportunities, including the front end of a one-and-one, as they were forced to foul in pursuit of the ball.

Smith, from the Bronx, New York, was instrumental for Abilene Christian beyond his 17 points, dishing out a game-high seven assists and consistently breaking the Texans’ pressure. Hubbard, a forward from Tulsa, Oklahoma, added 15 points and a key block.

For Tarleton State, the comeback effort fell short despite Johnson’s heroics and 13 points from Kaia Isaac of Christchurch, New Zealand. The Texans won the turnover battle 15-13 and grabbed nine offensive rebounds to Abilene Christian’s three, but were ultimately undone by their first-half offensive struggles and the Wildcats’ clutch free-throw shooting.

The game was a rubber match after the teams split two regular-season meetings, with each winning on the other’s home court. Abilene Christian’s victory sends them forward in the WAC tournament, while Tarleton State’s season concludes. The Wildcats will advance to face Utah Tech on Thursday.