Women host hoops scrimmage tonight

Hill College visits at 6:00pm

SAGU's first appearance since taking 3rd in NCCAA

WAXAHACHAIE, Texas -- Fans can get a sneak preview of the women’s basketball team at Southwestern Assemblies of God University tonight in the Sheaffer Center.

Head Coach Arlon Beadles and the Lady Lions will entertain Hill College at 6:00pm. Doors open at 5:00pm, and admission will be free to the public.

Southwestern, 23-13 a year ago, will be replacing three veteran starters; Chelsea Jones, Stephanie Hawkins and Heather Jefferson. The three bucketeers united to lead the team to 72 wins over the past three seasons, the best stint in school history.

Returning starters include senior forward Gabby Bruner (Peaster, Tx / Peaster HS) and sophomore forward Jirah Rodriguez (Georgetown, Tx / Georgetown HS). Sierra Hankins (Welch, Ok / Welch HS), a sophomore post player, was a common starter and key member in the rotation.

The backcourt will experience a facelift as a new point guard and 2-guard will likely be introduced.

A complete team preview will be published here in the coming week.

The scrimmage tonight will feature three timed periods, with coaches using different units and player combinations.

Hill College, a junior college, is located in Hillsboro, 33 miles west of Waxahachie. The Lady Rebels are expecting another talented squad, including a few NCAA Division I players.

Season starts on November 3

The Lady Lions will be in Moore, Oklahoma on Thursday, November 3, to face Hillsdale College in their season debut. Team Lioness hosts Dallas Christian College on November 7. The 7:00pm Monday night game will tip-off the first of four home contests this semester.

Eye On Lions

SAGU Sports Live will begin broadcasting home dates in January. The high definition livestream is believed to be the finest in the NAIA. It is produced by the Media Services Department at Southwestern, featuring a full cast of students in front and behind the camera.

Men’s basketball scrimmage announced

The SAGU Lions men’s team will scrimmage at Dallas Baptist University on October 26. Details will be posted. The Patriots are members of the NCAA’s Division II as well as the National Christian College Athletic Association. They met at SAGU two years ago, with the Lions claiming the win.

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.