Waxahachie, TX – The SAGU Men's Basketball team took a 90-83 win over Mid-America Christian in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals on Friday night in the Sheaffer Center. The Lions had five players finish with double-digit points, led by
Nathan Bailey's 25 points. Bailey finished the night going 8-17 from the field (47%), 4-8 from three (50%), and 5-6 from the free throw line (83%). SAGU has now improved their overall record to 20-8, and they will head to the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals on Monday, February 28, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on the campus of Mid-America Christian (Gaulke Activity Center).
It was a battle in the first half as both teams came out of the gate with a high scoring offense. There were nine different lead changes in the first half alone, and the score was tied five different times. As a team in the first half, the Lions shot 48% from the field (17-35), 50% from three (5-10), and 83% from the free throw line (5-6). In the first half, the Evangels shot 43% from the field (14-32), 33% from three (4-12), and 90% from the free throw line (9-10); SAGU would lead 44-41 going into halftime.
The Lions would start the second half on an 8-2 run, and they would build their lead to as much as fourteen at the thirteen-minute mark. Over the next six minutes of the half, the Evangels would go on a 15-2 run to pull within one at 68-69. Both teams would continue to exchange buckets as they stayed within five points of each other, and at the three-minute mark
Joel Polius would tie the game at 79-79. After a quick bucket from the Evangels,
Nathan Bailey would continue his impressive shooting night as he swished a deep three to put the Lions up 82-81. SAGU would keep their lead the rest of the game as they went 6-6 from the free throw line in the last two minutes of the game, and
Joshua Kashila would land a one-handed jumper to put the Lions up by five. In the second half, the Lions would shoot 48% from the field (16-33), 46% from three (6-13), and 80% from the free throw line (8-10). With the 90-83 victory, SAGU punched their ticket to the semifinals of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament.
As a team, the Lions shot 48% from the field, 47% from three, and 81% from the free throw line. They were led by
Nathan Bailey's 25 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Joshua Kashila added a double-double with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Isaiah Boling finished the night with 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, while
Noah Boling added 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. Finally,
Joel Polius had a near double-double with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 assist.
SAGU will now head to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to compete in the semifinals of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament on Monday, February 28, on the campus of Mid-America Christian in the Gaulke Activity Center. Their opponent has yet to be determined.
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.
