Waxahachie, Texas- January 14, 2016- The Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) women’s basketball team improved to 3-2 in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) after a big win over St. Gregory’s University (5-9 overall, 2-3 in the SAC). The Lady Lions have now won four in a row and are 10-6 overall.
Going into the contest, both schools were in the midst of a four-way tie for second place in the SAC with a record of 2-2.
In the first quarter, the score remained close. SGU’s Courtney Leach hit a three pointer with 0:03 left in the first to take the lead 16-13.
The Lady Lions were quick to answer in the second quarter. 30 seconds into the second, SAGU’s Laken Ward hit back-to-back baskets to put the Lady Lions ahead by 17-16. At halftime the SAGU was in the lead, 33-29.
With 6:30 left in the game, SAGU was down by ten. According to head coach Tiffany Phillips , even when they were down, her team didn’t give up, “I was proud of the way the ladies fought tonight. We just battled and battled. I thought we hit some big shots down the stretch.”
SAGU began their run with two free-throws by Dy’Teesha Diggles . The Lady Lions went on an 11-2 run that put them ahead 65-64 with 3:48 left in the game.
“Dotty Diggles made some great plays for us. She had a key block that started our run and then she hit shots when she needed to,” says Phillips, “Our team keeps finding ways to win and I can’t complain about their effort.”
With 0:18 left, SGU’s Leach hit a three to bring the score within three points. With one second left, SAGU’s Taylor Hill made two free throws to make the score 73-68.
Currently, Hill is 57 for 62 on free throws for the season. With a 91.9% free throw percentage, Hill ranks no. three in the NAIA in free throw percent.
Hill led SAGU in scoring with 20 points, four assists and two steals. Ebony Colbert added 16 points, Dy’Teesha Diggles scored 13 points, with nine rebounds and five blocks.
SGU’s Courtney Leach scored 19 points. Aliyah Richard had 15 points.
On Saturday, January 16, 2016, SAGU will travel to take on the first ranked team in the SAC. They will play Oklahoma City University (OCU) at 3pm. OCU (8-4 overall, 5-0 in the SAC) is currently ranked no. 13 in the NAIA and are the reigning NAIA National Champions.
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]
