March 6 ^, 2020

Plainview, TX

Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) #13 ranked Men’s Basketball team went to battle #1 ranked Mid-American Christian University (MACU) in the Semifinals of the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) Tournament on Friday night. The third time was a charm for the Lions (24-7, 13-7) as they knocked off the best team in the country by handing the Evangels (30-2, 19-1) their second loss of the season by the score of 101-79.

Top Performers

• Josh Kashila ( JR/Euless, TX ) scored 28 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished out 6 assists.
• Kentton Williams ( SR/Levelland, TX ) scored 25 points and was a force on the glass with 9 rebounds.
• Mitchell McMullen ( SR/San Antonio, TX ) was the only other SAGU player in double-figure scoring as he posted 17 points.
• McMullen and Kashila led the Lions in three-point shooting as they combined to shoot (10-21) from behind the arc. SAGU shot 51% (17-33) from long distance for the game.
• The Lions won the rebounding battle 40-36

Lions Review

• Noah Boling ( FR/Van Alstyne, TX ) started SAGU off with an offensive rebound and putback as he got fouled. He made the free throw to tie the game at 3-3.
• Howard Turner ( FR/Detroit, MI ) hit the Lions’ first triple of the game to take a 10-5 lead with just over three minutes gone by.
• Turner hit another big three-pointer in transition to give the Lions a 20-14 lead with 14:12 left in the half.
• Back to back triples by SAGU forced MACU to take a timeout as the Lions held a 26-18.
• SAGU went on an 8-2 run to push the lead out to double digits 37-26 with 9:00 left in the half.
• Williams was a force inside and out as he bullied his way to the basket and then drained a deep triple which was SAGU’s ninth of the half to put them ahead 45-31 with just over six minutes left.
• Kashila hit two free throws to give SAGU a 57-37 lead with 2:55 before the break.
• Cody Farmer ( SO/San Antonio, TX ) got a huge rebound and hit a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to give SAGU a 59-39 advantage into half time.
• Kashila picked up right where the Lions left off as he cashed in from beyond the arc yet again to extend the lead to 62-41 with a couple of minutes gone in the second half.
• MACU did a better job scoring early on but they were still trading baskets with SAGU as they continued to lead 66-50 with 14:17 left.
• MACU found themselves in the bonus with just under 13 minutes left.
• SAGU needed a score as MACU shaved five points off the lead, but Williams hit a tough basket in the paint to answer.
• McMullen and Corland Blake ( FR/Fort Worth, TX ) drained back to back triples to extend the lead to 78-56 with 9:38 to go.
• MACU turned up the pressure, but SAGU was unphased as the broke it with ease and scored to take a 91-67 lead with 5:33 left.
• MACU cut it back to 96-76, but time was not on their side as the clock ticked under 2:00.
• SAGU went on to win in convincing fashion 101-79.

What’s Next

SAGU will play for the SAC Tournament Championship on March 7th as they take on John Brown University. The game is scheduled to tip at 3:30 pm.

As a leading Christian university, Southwestern Assemblies of God University 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.