outhwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) men’s basketball team Mid-America Christian University (MACU) Sheaffer Gymnasium
Head coach Donnie Bostwick is proud of the way his team was able to knock off the reigning NAIA National Champions, “MACU has a tremendous team and they lead the nation in scoring. We were able to hold them to nearly 40 points under their average and win on a night that we struggled shooting. As a coach I love winning with defense, taking charges, and working hard on the boards. When you win that way then good things follow.”
The Lions dominated the first half and with 5:39 left, Dareny Sims hit a free throw to give SAGU the greatest lead of the night, 27-8. MACU was able to make a 13-6 run before halftime, bringing the score within 12.
“We continue to mature and improve as a team,” explains Bostwick, “Our inexperience causes us to have stretches of both great and not so great play, but to show the toughness to step up when it counts and make plays is a testament to this team’s faith that God will honor their trust in Him.”
With a team that averages 95 points per game, you can expect for a run to be made. Thanks to some sharp shooting and solid defense mid-way through the second half, the Evangels were able to tie the game at 43 with 9:19 left to play.
With the clock reading 4:12, senior Keyunta Watkins was fouled taking the ball to the hoop. The basket was good and so was the free throw. On SAGU’s next possession Josh Williams made a shot to give the Lions a 57-52 lead.
MACU’s Devonse Reed made three free throws in a row, followed up by a basket in the paint. MACU took the 58-57 lead with 0:26 left.
Isaak Rowe came up big in final seconds, stepping up to the free throw line and sinking both shots. Josh Williams also made it to the free throw line with 0:01 left on the clock, making one free throw and sealing the deal for SAGU.
Keyunta Watkins led the Lions in scoring with 16 points. Isaak Rowe had 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
For MACU, Devonse Reed scored 17 points.
On Saturday, January 21, 2017, the Lions travel to play a strong Wayland Baptist University. WBU is now 13-6 overall and 5-2 in the SAC. Currently, SAGU, WBU and Texas Wesleyan are in a three-way tie for first place in the SAC.
Bostwick knows that playing WBU on the road will be a tall order, “We are in an incredibly balanced race in conference play. Our league is loaded from top to bottom. You have to come to play every night. It’s a war and you win the war one battle at a time.”
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]
