Lions face #17 Tarleton State tonight

Live Video, Audio available for fans

STEPHENVILLE, Texas  --  The Southwestern Assemblies of God University men’s basketball team is in action tonight against Tarleton State University.

While the game was to be considered an exhibition for SAGU (1-0) until a change of mind before the game, so the outcome will count. It is the season opener for #17 ranked Tarleton State. The game is set for an 8:00pm tipoff in the Wisdom Gymnasium.

Fans can follow the game on live video, live audio as well as live stats. For access, visit the TSU website under athletics at: www.tarletonsports.com

The Texans, who went 27-6 last winter, are members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Division II. They play in the Lone Star Conference where they were Co-Champions after posting a 15-3 mark a year ago.

Southwestern will have their work cut out for them as the Texans boast the nation’s #1 scoring defense. They allowed opponents only 56.3 points per game during the 2011-12 season. They are a perennial power and will provide a solid test for SAGU’s young ball club.

The Lions went 27-11 last season under first year Head Coach Donnie Bostwick. It was their first winning campaign in over 10 years. The team enjoyed the NAIA’s largest turnaround after going 12-21 the year before.

Coach Bostwick started Caleb Gentry (Hondo, Tx / Oklahoma Wesleyan Univ., Hondo HS) and Devante Dunn (Wills Point, Tx / Wills Point HS) at the 2-guard and 3-guard, while Dominique Rambo (Dallas, Tx / Oklahoma Wesleyan Univ., Trinity Christian School) manned the point guard position in their opener last week, an 81-67 win over Dallas Christian College.

Jonathan Walter (Garland, Tx / garland HS) started at small forward while Mike Nwelue (Lewisville, Tx / Lewisville HS) played at power forward.

This will be the third meeting between the two teams. Tarleton State leads the series, 2-0; winning 79-68 last year and 91-48 in 2008.

Lonn Reisman has been the Head Coach of the Texans since 1988 and their Athletics Director for 21 years. Under his tenure the Texans have a 265-51 home court record.

SAGU's Upcoming Schedule

The Lions will be in Kansas next weekend to participate in the Sterling Classic. They are slated to face Tabor College (Ks) at 4:00pm on Friday, November 16. The Blue Jays are currently 0-5.

On Saturday night the Purple Pride will tangle with the host, Sterling College, at 8:00pm. The Warriors are 2-2. Last season in Waxahachie the Lions edged Sterling (17-14 record), 76-72.

Next Monday night, Nov. 19, SAGU is at Dallas Christian College.

Their next home date is huge.

On Saturday, Nov. 24, Westmont College (2-0) visits the Sheaffer Center. The Warriors are from Irvine, California and were ranked #8 in the NAIA Pre-Season Coaches Poll.

SAGU appears in the same poll at #26.

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde, SAGU 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.