USAO’s Taran Buie is the number one scorer in the NAIA. Despite him scoring 36 points, Bostwick was pleased with SAGU’s overall effort “Buie is an incredible offensive player and has a knack for drawing fouls and finding weak spots in your defense. We had some break downs and let him get to his spots on the floor, but we refused to give in which is a maturing moment hopefully in our season.”
The Lions led nearly the entire first half of the game, even extending their lead to 11 points with 10:02 to play. SAGU ranks no. 12 in the NAIA for three pointers made per game, however, in the first half, SAGU didn’t make one three pointer.
Right before the halftime buzzer, USAO’s Julius Foster hit a basket to give the Drovers their only lead of the half 31-29.
USAO came out of the locker room and held the lead for the first three minutes of the second half. SAGU’s Kentton Williams tied the score with a made basket, followed up by a well-time three pointer by Josh Williams. With 16:53 left in the game, SAGU regained the 42-39 lead.
The game stayed very close, with USAO’s Buie hitting a three pointer to pull within two points with 12 seconds left.
Within the final 12 seconds, SAGU’s Keyunta Watkins made it to the free throw line four times. Watkins went three-for-four, sealing the deal for SAGU.
“I was very pleased with our effort and with the heart we played with,” says Bostwick, “We made too many mistakes but we played in attack mode to win instead of trying not to lose. 19 offensive rebounds is a great example of where our focus was.”
SAGU’s Keyunta Watkins had 19 points and four assists. Josh Williams added 18 points and 11 rebounds. Josh Swearingin came off the bench to score 16 points and pull down nine rebounds. Isaak Rowe had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Adrian Palacios added 11 points.
The Lions have no time to rest. They will play Southwest Christian University on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 5pm. SCU is one of the team’s SAGU is in a three-way tie for second place with. SAGU Sports Network will be broadcasting the game live.
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]
