NCCAA ranks Lions #1 in hoops

Roberts leads nation in blocked shots

Lions win by an average of 18 points per game

WAXAHACHIE, Texas -- The National Christian College Athletic Association released their mid-December report and both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Southwestern Assemblies of God University are ranked high in various categories.

There are 104 member institutions in the NCCAA, 63 in Division I.

LIONS: Men's Basketball

The Lions were the #1 ranked team entering this week with a 9-0 mark. Dallas Baptist University (8-4) came in at #7 as the closest team in the Central Region.

SAGU’s offense made the grade at #5 with their 82.1 points per game average. The squad’s scoring margin of 17.9 (82.1 offense, 64.2 yield avg.) is #1 of the NCCAA’s 63 Division I members. The team is averaging 41.6 rebounds per contest, which places them at #4.

Two areas reflect the offense’s precision and the defense’s ballhawking skills. The Lions average 16.2 assists per game, which rates #9, while the team’s norm at steals (13.3) is #2.

The men’s team has shown a major, marked improvement on defense, reducing the number of points they allow from 86.6 in 2010-11 to 64.2 this fall. It is only fitting that Southwestern’s defense of enemy shooter’s field goal percentage (39.0) ranks #2 and the opposition’s ability to knock down three-pointers (30.8%) is at #10.

Individually, only sophomore Dominique Rambo (Dallas, Tx / Oklahoma Wesleyan Univ, Trinity Christian – CH) appeared in the Top 25;

SCORING: Rambo #4 at 19.4 ppg. ASSISTS: Rambo #15 at 3.9 apg. STEALS: Rambo 3.8 spg.

LADY LIONS: Women's Basketball

The Lady Lions are ten games into a rebuilding season and are rated #28. Of the ten teams in the Central Region, SAGU comes in at #4 behind Mid-American Christian University (Ok) (7-3), Ecclesia College (Ark) (3-14) and Central Bible College (Ark) (4-7).

The team appears in the Top 25 in a few different sets. Team Lioness is at #21 at 37.8% in shooting accuracy. When it comes to pulling down rebounds, the team ranks #14 by snaring 42.6 caroms per game. In rejecting shots, SAGU is #3 by making 6.2 per outing.

The Lady Lions defense, an annual staple as a strength, is evident again. They are #10 in collecting steals (11.8 per game) and #2 in scoring defense, surrendering only 55.6 ppg. Teams are making just 32.9% of their shots, which is #4 among NCCAA teams.
The team’s 3-6 record doesn’t show the evenness of their games. SAGU’s scoring margin is #21 at -0.4 per game, scoring 55.1 and permitting 55.5.

Individuals making the list in similar categories include three players; junior Shaquita Roberts (San Antonio, Tx / Byron Steele HS), senior Gabby Bruner (Peaster, Tx / Peaster HS) and sophomore Nia Winston (Garland, Tx / Panola JuCo, Lakeview Centennial).

REBOUNDS: Roberts #2 at 11.8 rpg, Bruner #19 at 8.0 rpg. BLOCKED SHOTS: Roberts #1 at 5.0 bpg. STEALS: Winston #8 at 2.8 spg.

Upcoming Games in January

Both teams have begun their 24-game schedule against teams in the Red River Athletic Conference. Following the holidays they will travel to Fort Worth to face Texas Wesleyan University on Thursday, January 5, at the Sid Richardson Center.
The Lady Rams are 6-2 overall and 2-1 in RRAC games under new head coach Bill Franey. The Rams are 6-1 in all games and 3-0 in league action.

SAGU returns home on Saturday, Jan. 7, when Oklahoma’s Langston University visits the Sheaffer Center. The LU Lady Lions, who have won the past 5 RRAC titles, are #7 nationally at 11-0 and 5-0 (RRAC). Their men’s team is 2-8 and 2-3. The Lions have new co-coaches in Nigel Thomas and Jarriel Vicks.

Follow the Lions Tracks

All 10 remaining home games will be broadcast in HD by SAGU SPORTS Live on SAGU TV. Fans can watch each livestreamed contest, which start with a 15-minute pre-game show. Each home tilt also offers a play-by-play, text version of the game in a webcast called LiveStats. Details on both services will be posted here in early January.

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde, Sports Information Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 469-658-2847.