Fort Worth, Texas- January 29, 2016- It was a battle of two nationally ranked men’s basketball teams, but in the end, Texas Wesleyan University topped Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU), 84-76. The Rams are currently ranked no. 12 in the NAIA and the Lions are ranked no. 20.
TWU is now in second place in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) with a record of 7-2 and 17-4 overall. SAGU is now in a three-way tie for fourth place with a SAC record of 5-4 and 14-7 overall.
The Rams jumped out to the early lead and held that for the vast majority of the game. The only time SAGU was on top, was 3:30 minutes into the game when freshman Isaak Rowe hit a three-pointer to put the Lions up 8-7.
With 8:00 left in the first half, SAGU’s Keyunta Watkins made a three-point shot to tie the game at 21-all. With less than a minute left in the half, Watkins hit another three-pointer to put SAGU down by only four. Going into the locker room, TWU was up 35-31.
The Rams came out for the second half ready to build on their lead. With 7:43 left on the clock, TWU’s Trevon Jeffery made a basket to give them their greatest lead of the night, 66-49.
SAGU wasn’t going to be counted out. Junior Keyunta Watkins made back-to-back three pointers to bring the score to 66-55 with 7:09 left to play.
With a little over two minutes left to play, SAGU senior Emmanuel Adoyi made a basket to bring the score within seven. Next, Watkins had a fast break to make the score 78-73. Unfortunately for the Lions, this was as close as the score got. TWU topped SAGU, 84-76.
For the Lions, Keyunta Watkins led in scoring with 21 points. Rishaad Alexander had 17 points and seven assists. Isaak Rowe added 15 points and six rebounds. Emmanuel Adoyi had eight rebounds and five assists.
TWU’s Jerell Ellis had 24 points. Sam Akona had 12 rebounds.
SAGU will next play University of Science & Arts-Oklahoma . USAO is tied with SAGU at 5-4 in the SAC. They are 10-7 overall. The Lions will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak on Saturday, January 30, 2016 against USAO. Game time is at 5pm.
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]
