Kansas City, Mo – March 9, 2016- The Southwestern Assemblies of God University men’s basketball team received a very welcomed surprise during Wednesday’s 2016 NAIA Championship selection show. The Lions (20-12) received an at-large bid to the 79 th annual Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship . This is the fourth year in a row SAGU will be making the trip to Kansas City.
The 32-qualifiers will play in a single-elimination bracket. The first game for the tournament will tip off at 9am on Wednesday, March 16, 2016. The field is comprised of 14 automatic berths and 18 at-large selections, like SAGU. At-large teams were determined using the final regular-season Coaches’ Top 25 Poll released on Wednesday afternoon.
“We feel extremely blessed as there are a lot of great teams that did not receive this opportunity. I just want to thank God for His faithfulness, grace, and unmerited favor. We did not dodge a single bullet all year and went 1-7 in games decided late. To keep the faith and trust God no matter what has been our focus. It is a credit to our whole team, especially my four seniors. Injuries, tough calls, a few mistakes never stopped them from following the Lord and leading our younger players,” says head coach Donnie Bostwick.
Four other Sooner Athletic Conference teams were selected for the Championship; Wayland Baptist (SAC Tournament champions) Texas Wesleyan (SAC league champions), and Mid-America Christian along with Oklahoma City , both also receiving at-large bids.
On Thursday, March 17, 2016, SAGU will play LSU Alexandria . LSUA is currently 28-3. One of the LSU and SAGU’s common opponents is Wiley College . WC topped SAGU two times, 68-65 and 62-58. LSU Alexandria beat Wiley twice, 89-71 and 77-60.
The Lions will be traveling back to Texas from Colorado, where they were preparing to play in the NCCAA Central Regional Tournament. Coach Bostwick doesn’t mind the last minute changes of plans however, “LSUA will be a big challenge. We will prepare well this week and trust God for the strength and courage to represent SAGU well in KC!”
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]
