Lady Lions fall to NAIA power, 60-42

SAGU faces John Brown today

Harvatin, Roberts, Rodriguez score in double-digits

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas -- The Southwestern Assemblies of God University women’s basketball team placed three players in double figures but it wasn’t enough to avoid a 60-42 setback against College of the Ozarks in the opener of the John Brown Classic.

After holding the unbeaten Lady Bobcats (5-0) to 19 first half points, Southwestern allowed 41 during a second half that saw the Ozarks pull away. They entered the game averaging over 77 points per game. Six-foot junior center Morgan Smith led the way with 18 points and seven rebounds.

College of the Ozarks is a perennial powerhouse in the NAIA, posting a 206-36 record over the past eight years. They were 28-6 last winter, their worst record in six seasons. Their campus is in Point Lookout, Missouri, near the city of Branson.

SAGU, now 3-2, had similar statistics, but couldn’t match the performance of the Bobcats bench, who outscored the Lady Lions by a 29-5 count. Twelve players scored for COTO.

The Bobcats shot 37% (24 of 64) from the floor, compared to SAGU’s 35% (18-52). They also held a slight edge on the boards, 39-36. Their combined experience was revealed in their ability to take better care of the ball, where they committed only nine turnovers (SAGU had 15) and racked up a 19-5 advantage in assists.

The Lady Lions were led by freshman guard Cordia Harvatin (San Antonio, Tx / Stacey HS), who earned her first collegiate starting assignment. She made 5-of-12 shots in scoring 11-points in 32 minutes of action.

Shaquita Roberts (San Antonio, Tx / Byron Steele HS) added 10-points (5-of-9 shooting) and a game-high 9 rebounds. She also blocked three shots. Jirah Rodriguez (Georgetown, Tx / Georgetown HS) tossed in 10 (4-of-10) and reeled in five boards.

The team’s leading scorer, sophomore Nia Winston (Garland, Tx / Panola JuCo, Lakeview Centennial HS) was held to seven (2-of-7). The rest of the team combined to connect on 2-of-14. Ten players saw action for Team Lioness.

On Deck: Lady Lions take on JBU today

Next up for SAGU is a 3:00pm clash against John Brown University. The Golden Eagles (2-2) defeated Ecclesia College (Ark) on Friday, 79-53. JBU went 20-12 last season.

Southwestern is off during Thanksgiving week before resuming play on Saturday, December 3.  The 5:30pm game at Bacone College (3-1) marks the start of the Red River Athletic Conference season. The Lady Lions next home game is set for Dec. 5 against the University of the Southwest (NMex) (4-1).

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.