Waxahachie, TX – The SAGU Men's Basketball team got their tenth conference win on Saturday afternoon in the Sheaffer Center as they overtook Wayland Baptist in the final seconds of the game to get a 67-65 win. With just fourteen seconds left in the game,
Isaiah Boling hit a game winning three-pointer to put the Lions up 67-65. The Pioneers would miss the attempted three at the buzzer giving SAGU the victory. Boling would hit three three-pointers in the final two minutes of the game to bring the Lions back, including the game-winning three.
The lead would change five different times throughout the game, and four different times the score was tied. SAGU would trail much of the game and go down 36-32 at the half. In the first half, Wayland Baptist shot 46.4% from the field, 50% from three, and 85% from the free throw line, while SAGU shot 48.1% from the field but just 18% from three. SAGU could not find an offensive rhythm in the first half totaling ten turnovers.
Halfway through the second half the Lions would regain the lead 46-40, but the Pioneers would battle back going on an 11-0 run to put them up 51-46.
Isaiah Boling began heating up with less than ten minutes left pulling the Lions within two, but the Pioneers' two guards, Parrish Hewitt and RJ Mason, continued to make plays as they combined for 22 of Wayland 29 second half points.
With just two minutes left in the game,
Isaiah Boling would hit a three to pull the Lions within six points and
Nathan Bailey would follow with a three of his own at 1:30 mark to bring SAGU within three. After a SAGU foul, with just one minute left in the game, Wayland's RJ Mason would a sink a free throw to put the Pioneers up 65-61. On the next possession,
Isaiah Boling would hit another three to bring SAGU within one. After a big stop, the Lions would charge down the floor and find Boling once again at the top of the key. With just eight seconds left, Boling would hit the game-winning three to put the Lions up 67-65. SAGU would end up getting a stop at the buzzer to take the 67-65 victory over Wayland Baptist.
Isaiah Boling led the Lions with 23 points, and 21 of his 23 points came in the second half. Boling went 6-6 from three in the second half and 6-9 on the day. He also added three rebounds and three assists.
Nykolas Mason followed with 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Tyler Kinghorn added 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists while
Nathan Bailey finished with 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
With this victory, SAGU now sits at 13-3 overall and 10-1 in Sooner Athletic Conference play. They also hold the number one spot in the SAC. The Lions will continue their home stretch as they face the University of North Texas Dallas on Tuesday, January 18, at 7:45 PM in the Sheaffer Center.
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.
