Lakewood, Colorado- March 11, 2016- The Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) women’s basketball season ended in a heartbreaking overtime game against NCAA Division II Colorado Christian University in the National Christian Colleges Athletic Association’s (NCCAA) Central Region Tournament.  The Cougars topped the Lady Lions, 80-76.

Head coach Tiffany Phillips knew the game against the 20-9 Lady Cougars would be a battle, “I cannot describe how proud of this team I am.  We were most certainly the underdogs playing against an NCAA Division II team, but my girls didn’t back down.”

The first half quarter remained in CCU’s favor.  At the end of the first, SAGU’s Bethany Krock hit two free throws to make the score 17-10.

With six minutes left in the half, SAGU was able to go on a six to zero run and tie the game at 21 points.  CCU didn’t let SAGU’s run get them down; they quickly rebounded and took the lead once again.  With 3:24 left in the second quarter, CCU’s Kaitlyn Hinch scored a jumper to make the score 29-23.

With 0:01 left in the half, SAGU’s Charity Page came up with a huge block to end the half with CCU up 33-28.

Historically, SAGU has been a second half team.  They’ve had a flair for the dramatics and just when they would get down to the point you aren’t sure if they could make it a game, they find a way to fight back.  Thursdays night’s game was no different.

With 5:58 left in the third quarter, SAGU was down by 12 points, 46-34.  On SAGU’s next trip down the court, senior Meghan Becker hit a three pointer.  That three prompted a nine to zero run by the Lady Lions.  With 3:32 left in the third, Bethany Krock went up for a lay-up, made the shot and was fouled in the process.  She was able to bring the score within three, 46-43.

The fourth quarter leaned in SAGU’s favor, controlling the small lead throughout.  With 1:14 left to play, SAGU’s Krock hit a lay-up to extend SAGU’s lead 68-63.  20 seconds later, CCU’s Ali Meyer hit a three to bring the game within two points.

With 30-seconds left in regulation, Meyer’s hit a lay-up and sent the game into overtime.

In overtime the score was tied 76-all with 0:27 left to play.  CCU’s Meyers hit two free throws, followed by a lay-up from Chandler Sturms to end the game with a score of 80-76.

“Anytime the season ends it hurts but when it ends like that it really strings.  Those girls gave it all they had last night.  They left it all on the floor and as a coach that is all you can ask for. Taylor, Meghan and Bethany have laid the foundation for what we hope to accomplish here at SAGU with the women’s basketball team and I can’t begin to tell you how much they will be missed,” says first year head coach Phillips.

For the Lady Lions, Bethany Krock had 23 points and three steals.  Laken Ward added 17 points and eight rebounds. Charity Page had 15 points and ten rebounds.

CCU’s Ali Meyer had 26 points and 10 rebounds.

The Lady Lions have officially ended the season 18-14.

Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927, and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.

Contact: Natalie Tristan, SAGU SID, [email protected]