Oklahoma City, Oklahoma- January 22, 2016- The Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) men’s basketball team fell to the ninth ranked team in the NAIA, Mid America Christian University (5-1 in SAC, 15-3 overall).  The Lions (5-2 in SAC, 14-5 overall) lost to the Evangels, 98-88.  SAGU is now tied for second place in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) and MACU has moved to the top spot.  SAGU is currently ranked no. 16 in the NAIA.

Head coach Donnie Bostwick knows the loss to MACU was a hard-fought battle, “Losing to a top 10 team on the road is nothing to hang your head about, but I really believe this team is capable of winning that game and challenging for a SAC title.”

For much of the first half SAGU held the small lead.  One of the Lions biggest leads on the night came right before halftime.  With six seconds left in the half, SAGU senior Rishaad Alexander made a basket to put the Lions up, 47-39.

SAGU stayed on top into the second half.  With 11:41 left in the game, MACU’s Jerrick Massenburge capitalized on a SAGU turnover and hit a three to tie the game at 59.  Massenburge continued his scoring spree, hitting a free throw and another three point shot, scoring seven points in less than two minutes.  His scoring attack continued, and by five minutes left in the game, Massenburge had hit two more three pointers.

With 4:28 left to play, MACU’s lead had grown to 17 points.  At 1:38, the Lions had cut the game to eight points, 88-82, when Jason Gentry got the offensive rebound and made a basket in the paint.  Unfortunately, it was a night that MACU just couldn’t miss, and SAGU lost 98-88.

The Evangels pulled in 16 offensive rebounds, part of which changed the game according to Bostwick, “We had a good half tonight. We were once again beat on the offensive glass and let MACU shoot a high percentage. Those two things have got to get better or we will not take that next big step.  We will need to get up off the ground quickly and prepare ourselves for a really good Wayland Baptist team on Saturday.”

SAGU seniors Rishaad Alexander and Jason Gentry each scored 22 points.  Alexander also had nine assists.  Michael Ryce added 10 points for the Lions.

MACU’s Nick Tate scored 21 points, going three of four from the three point line.  Jerrick Massenburge went six for nine from the three point line and scored 19 points.

On Saturday, January 23, 2016, SAGU will host Wayland Baptist University .  WBU is currently 3-4 in the SAC and 11-7 overall.  Game time is at 3pm.

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.