Q & A with Coach Bostwick

Interview on Eve of Lions 38th Game

SAGU to play for 3rd place at 11am

SYRACUSE, Indiana -- The day before the 38th and final basketball game of the season for Southwestern Assemblies of God University, first year head coach Donnie Bostwick reflected on several subjects related to the team’s extended post-season.

The Lions are here in Northern Indiana at the National Christian College Athletic Association’s eight-team nationals. The event is being hosted by Grace College in nearby Winona Lake, Indiana. Two-thousand seat Orthopaedic Capital Center is the site for the four-day venue.

SAGU will meet Hope International University on Saturday at 11:00am (CST) with the winner finishing third nationally.

Formerly known as Pacific Christian College; until they obtained university status in 1997, their urban campus is located next to Anaheim in Fullerton, California.

Fans can tune in for live video streaming across the internet for free on the Game Plan Sports Network. Most information can be found at http://www.gpsnonline.com/watch-live/, but if you have more questions about the feed, contact Trent McGee at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

For more details on the tournament, including schedule and results, as well to purchase photographs, visit this website: http://www.grace.edu/athletics/nccaa.

Staying at a quiet country-side inn, Coach Bostwick commented on the team’s recent tournament loss to top-seeded Cedarville University.

Since the Red River Athletic Conference tourney two weeks ago, the Lions have travelled 14 hours to Denver for three games at the NCCAA Central Regional, returned home for one day, then trekked 18 hours to Indiana.

Seven post-season games in three states in two weeks.

Cedarville has played one game and drove three-hours to meet the road-weary Lions.

Fresher, the Yellow Jackets were on top of their game while Southwestern appeared in need of a hammock and a cool breeze.

Q1) What was the difference in the game?
DB: Multiple things. They are very good and have both size and shooters. We battled, but much like our game with DBU (Dallas Baptist University) in Colorado, we simply had no legs left.

This effected our shooting and we have to shoot well when playing bigger teams. (Making) 31 percent from the floor and 33% from the free throw line will not win.

We have travelled so much, and we played an overtime game the night before. Plus, we played a very good team in Cedarville (22-9).

Q2) How difficult was it for the team when the Jackets were allowed to play so physically by the officials?
DB: It limited our easy baskets (layups) but we should have matched them and used it to our advantage as well. The first five minutes of the second half cost us.

NOTE: The Yellow Jackets, who have won 20+ games in eleven straight seasons, stretched a 26-24 halftime lead to 40-27 in the opening moments of the second half. The closest SAGU came was seven-points the rest of the way.

Q3) Trailing early, 16-7, the team regrouped and rallied to within one. What caused the surge?
DB: James Ford stepped up! And we guarded very well for ten minutes. We did not defend well during the second half. I’m not sure why.

Q4) How good is Cedarville?
DB: Two big transfer players have made them a force. I believe they would be a Top 10 NAIA team.

NOTE: The Yellow Jackets, who are from east of Dayton, Ohio, are concluding their first season as a member of the NCAA’s Division 2.

Q5) The team's undying nature was in full display. They also never lost their composure. What does that say to you as the coach?
DB: Our kids played hard to the buzzer. They kept their cool and represented Christ and SAGU. I am very proud of them.

Q6) There is one final game on Saturday at noon (EST). What are the strengths of Hope Int'l?
DB: Hope has a great post player and a couple of quick and heady guards. They compete and will be tough to beat.

NOTE: The Royals upset the 2nd seed Dallas Baptist, 63-58, on Wednesday. They began the season with an 8-1 start that included an upset of nationally ranked Azusa Pacific (24-8), 53-49, on the road. In the West Regional they stunned California Baptist, 64-63.

Q7) How do you think the squad will answer the bell after a disappointing loss?
DB: I am hoping we finish on a strong note.

Q8) Two seniors, both one thousand-point career scorers, will conclude their collegiate careers. What do you admire about Ronald Horne and Jared Gibson?
DB: They have given me all of the respect in the world. I admire them for that. They are great young men who have done a lot for SAGU basketball.

NOTE: The team will depart for Texas after their game ends around 2:00pm (CST). Their charter bus could arrive on campus as early as 8 or 9am on Sunday.

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.