Proof positive in loss to Westmont

Lions lose late lead, game, 69-65 in OT

Coach Bostwick assesses his Lions, Westmont

(View photo gallery of 258 pictures; info below)

WAXAHACHIE, Texas  --  Following a heartbreaking 69-65 overtime setback against #8 ranked Westmont College (California), head coach Donnie Bostwick made no excuses for his team’s loss.

In fact, he was filled with praise for the play of his #26 ranked Southwestern Assemblies of God University Lions, who rallied from being 17-points down in the first half.

The Lions held a three-point lead in the closing seconds before the Warriors tied the score just before the buzzer, coercing overtime.

“The first half of the game was a mirror image of our Tarleton game,” he commented. The Lions trailed the ranked NCAA Division II Tarleton State University by 16, only to storm back for a 73-60 triumph on the road.

“We fell behind 26-9 tonight,” Bostwick pointed out. “But our guys fought back and played hard. That is all I can ask for. I’m very proud of my guys.”

The second-year coach also expressed thanks to local fans that came out on a holiday weekend when the campus was empty.

The game’s exciting finish was filled with memorable plays.

“There are always plays, shots and calls that can go either way to decide a close game,” Bostwick added. “They just made one more play than we did.”

That was in reference to Westmont’s Jordan Sachs (SAX) sinking a three-pointer at the end of the second half. It snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

“Hats off to a great team, full of upperclassmen,” he said of the visiting Warriors. “They are playing and executing on the offensive end like it is late in the season.”

“We are shorthanded right now and I am so proud of our young players for giving us a chance.”

“We struggled with our shooting again,” Bostwick confessed, “but we found a way to compete for the game.”

“I felt like it was two top-notch NAIA teams on the floor. It was too bad someone had to lose that game.”

The contest was another litmus test to indicate the Lions should be a force to be reckoned with throughout the season.

The Lions (4-1) have one more non-conference game coming at home on Monday when they host Arlington Baptist College. The game is set for a 7:30pm tipoff.

SAGU begins its 22-game league season in the Red River Athletic Conference next Thursday in Austin. The RRAC had four teams either ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA’s pre-season Top 25 coaches poll.

The Lions will host Jarvis Christian College next Saturday, December 1. The matinee will start with a 4:00pm tip.

Jarvis played Westmont College (6-1) at the Sheaffer Center on Friday, falling by an 83-65 count.

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.

To view and/or to purchase between 258 photos from the SAGU vs Westmont game, go to Steve Patterson's website at www.movingpictures.photoreflect.com