Waxahachie, TX- Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Men’s Basketball team is now ranked #22 in the NAIA D-I Coaches poll. The Lions (13-2, 5-2) were back in action on Thursday night as they played fellow Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) team The University of Science & Arts (Okla.) (USAO). SAGU was able to keep up their winning ways as they defeated the Drovers (7-9, 2-5) by the score of 91-79.

Top Performers

• Nyk Mason ( SO/Frisco, TX ), who was recently named NAIA Player of the Week, had another monster game with 34 points and 15 rebounds.
• Kentton Williams ( SR/Levelland, TX ) (20 points, 13 rebounds) and Josh Kashila ( JR/Euless, TX ) (11 points, 11 rebounds) each recorded a double-double.
• Darian Davis ( SR/ Garland, TX ) hit double figures with 11 points while also grabbing 5 rebounds. He gave the team energy at the beginning of the game and was active all night long.
• SAGU shot 42% (31-73) from the floor including 25% (7-27) from three-point range.
• The Lions outrebounded the Drovers 58-46. The snatched 13 offensive rebounds and turned them into 15 second chance points.

Lions Reviews

• Mason got the Lions on the scoreboard first with a steal and breakaway jam which electrified the crowd.
• Davis scored 6 of the next 10 SAGU points as they hopped out to a quick 10-5 lead.
• The Lions built on the lead by putting together an 11-3 run capped by a long-distance shot by Mitchell McMullen ( SR/ San Antonio, TX ) to make it 21-8 with 13:40 to go in the first half.
• SAGU was able to maintain their double-digit lead thanks to back-to-back threes by Kashila and Howard Turner ( FR/Detriot, MI ).
• USAO kept chipping away at the lead slowly. They hit a three-pointer right before halftime that cut the SAGU lead to just 10 at 43-33.
• Williams hit a couple of buckets to open the 2 ^nd half and pushed the lead back to sixteen at 52-36.
• SAGU hit a bit of a field goal drought but was kept afloat by Mason getting to the free-throw line. The Lions lead 68-50 with 14:10 remaining in the game.
• The Drovers got hot going on a 20-4 run to make it a one-possession game (72-70) with just under nine minutes to play.
• Mason scored 9 of the next 12 points for the Lions. He imposed his will on USAO as the lead grew to 86-74 with 3:00 remaining.
• Kashila nailed free throws down the stretch to put the game out of reach.

Thoughts From Coach Deal

“We played well, but we had a lot of unforced errors and silly turnovers. We were able to defend, rebound, and get to the free-throw line. When you are solid in those areas it can make up for some of the mistakes. When you give extra effort in those areas it’s oftentimes the difference in winning and losing.”

What’s Next

SAGU (13-2, 5-2) is set to travel to Moore, OK to play Mid-American Christian University which is ranked #2 in the D-1 Coaches’ Poll and is currently undefeated. This game will take place on Saturday, January 18 ^th at 3:45 pm.

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.