January 18, 2020

Moore, OK- Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) traveled to Oklahoma to play #2 ranked Mid-American Christian University (MACU) on Saturday afternoon. The Lions (13-3, 5-3) had a lead late in the game, but couldn’t close it out. The Evangels (17-0, 8-0) avoided their first loss of the season as they hit their free-throws down the stretch to get the win 90-86.

Top Performers

• Nykolas Mason ( SO/Frisco, TX ) put together another strong performance as he netted a game-high 36 points to go with 6 assists and 4 rebounds. He has scored 30+ points in three of his last four contests.
• Josh Kashila (JR/Euless, TX ) scored 11 while pulling down a team-high 7 rebounds.
• Howard Turner ( FR/Detroit, MI ) gave SAGU a big boost off the bench with 13 points and 6 rebounds of his own.
• SAGU shot 44% (32-72) from the field including 38% (11-29) from behind the arc.
• If the Lions have one weakness it has been free-throw shooting. It reared its ugly head in this one as they shot just 52% (11-21) from the charity stripe.

Lions Review

• Kentton Williams ( SR/Levelland, TX ) hit the first basket of the game for SAGU, unfortunately, it came after seven scoreless minutes. MACU led 17-2 with 12:54 to go in the first half.
• SAGU woke up quickly as they pieced together an 11-0 run of their own to cut the margin to 17-13.
• A deep three by Howard Turner made it a one-possession game (20-17).
• MACU converted a three-pointer of their own to push the lead to 33-24 with just under six minutes remaining.
• The Lions roared back with a 13-4 run of their own to tie the game at 37-37 with 3:38 left in the first half.
• MACU showed why they are a tough squad as they answered with a 10-2 run to take a 47-39 lead into halftime.
• Mason scored 8 straight points to open up the 2 ^nd half as MACU led by just 2 points 47-45.
• Kashila was money from deep as he hit a couple of key three-pointers to tie the game at 53-53 with about fifteen minutes left to play.
• The Lions gave MACU everything they wanted as they began to heat up and put together another big run. This time it was a 12-7 run to give SAGU a 65-60 lead with just under 10 minutes to play.
• Mitchell McMullen ( SR/San Antonio, TX ) scored five straight points as SAGU maintained a 72-66 lead with 5:53 to play.
• Turner pulled down a huge offensive rebound for the Lions as they were clinging to a 78-75 advantage with 1:51 remaining.
• MACU took advantage of back-to-back SAGU turnovers by hitting two massive shots from beyond the arc. MACU was on top just like that 81-78 with 1:02 left in the game.
• Mason would rattle home a couple of late threes to give the Lions a chance. The score was 87-86 with :12 left, but  Mason couldn’t cash in the final seconds as the Lions tried to steal the win with another late three. MACU knocked down its free-throws and stayed undefeated 90-86.

What’s Next

The Lions (13-3, 5-3) will be back at the Sheaffer Center on SAGU’s campus for back-to-back home games against SAC opponents. They will begin their homestand on Thursday, January 23 ^rd at 7:45 pm against Central Christian University (8-7, 1-6).

As a leading Christian university, SAGU educates and prepares individuals who want to serve Christ and others. SAGU helps students discover and develop their God-given callings in a Spirit-empowered, learning community.

We believe in affordable tuition, made possible in part through the financial support of donors who embrace the mission of SAGU and the importance of affordable, accredited programs to train Christians for leadership in ministry, business, education, and service.

Most majors are available in-person in Waxahachie, TX, and online through a wide range of associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.