Waxahachie, Texas- January 15, 2016- The Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) men’s basketball team remained in the top spot of the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) after a win over St. Gregory’s University , 71-64.  The Lions are currently 4-1 in the SAC and 13-4 overall.  SGU is 2-3 in the SAC and 7-6 overall.

“I was very pleased with our victory over a well-coached and mentally tough SGU team,” says SAGU head coach Donnie Bostwick , “I told the guys before the game that SGU is hard to crack and hard to put away.  They would have to stay the course and show the team strength and toughness necessary to finish a good battle.”

Coach Bostwick was correct.  With 1:25 left in the first half, SAGU freshman Aaron Embry made a three pointer to put the Lions up by eight, 34-26.  SGU went on a 10-0 run over the next minute and took the lead by two going into halftime.

Despite being without three players due to illness and injury, other players stepped up in a big way.  “Our seniors were warriors last night. Jason had one of the best games of his career. Two freshmen stole the show as Isaak (Rowe) and Aaron (Embry) both stepped up huge with big plays down the stretch,” explains Bostwick.

Coming out of halftime, SAGU was able to quickly retake the lead after Isaak Rowe made a basket.  Junior Keyunta Watkins scored back-to-back three pointers to put SAGU up 42-36 with 17:49 to play.

At 15 minutes left in the game, SAGU was able to build their lead to 10.  But SGU was a team of runs and was able to quickly go on another 10-0 run to tie the game at 48-all with 13 minutes left.

With 2:40 left in the game, SAGU held the lead by one, with a score of 62-61.  Isaak Rowe made two free throws, followed by a three point shot by Jason Gentry with 0:27 left.  The Lions were able to hold the lead for the rest of the game.

SAGU’s Jason Gentry led all scorers with 19 points and eight rebounds.  Freshman Isaak Rowe had 18 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and two steals.  Keyunta Watkins had 13 points and Rishaad Alexander had 11 points and five assists.

SGU’s Stephen Walter scored 16 points for the Cavaliers.

On Saturday, January 16, 2016, the Lions will travel to Oklahoma City University .  Game time is at 5pm.

OCU is currently 6-5 overall and 3-2 in the SAC.  OCU will broadcast the game live.

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, Sports Information, [email protected]