Waxahachie, TX – SAGU Men's Basketball took an 82-61 victory over Central Methodist on Friday night in the Sheaffer Center Arena. With this win, the Lions will advance to the final game of the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Opening Round, and they will face the No. 3 seed, Montana Tech. The opening round final game will take place in the Sheaffer Center Arena on the campus of SAGU at 5:30 PM. The winner will advance to the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Final Site in Kansas City, Missouri.
Live coverage of the game can be found at the links below.
Saturday, March 12
5:30 PM – No. 6 SAGU vs. No. 3 Montana Tech
Live Stats
SAGU Sports Network Broadcast
Tickets
SAGU stepped up to the moment on Friday night against Central Methodist as they held the Eagles to shooting just 38% from the field and 23% from three while forcing 19 turnovers. As a team, SAGU would shoot 50% (30-60) from the floor, 43% from three (13-30), and 60% (9-15) from the foul line. The Lions were able to capitalize off of Central Methodist's sloppy play, scoring 27 points off of the Eagles 19 turnovers. SAGU would never trail throughout the game and came out of the gate firing as
Noah Boling opened the game with a deep three starting the Lions' hot shooting night. SAGU would go on to start a 14-2 run at the 12-minute mark, giving them a ten-point cushion, which they would maintain the rest of the half. The Lions would lead 37-28 going into halftime.
The second half would prove to be SAGU's best half from beyond the arc. The Lions would shoot 44% from three (8-18). Just four minutes into the second half, the Lions would go on a 13-1 run giving them a 20-point lead with just 13 minutes left to play. SAGU's big offensive night would continue, and the Eagles were never able to take up any momentum. Maintaining their lead, the Lions would go on to win 82-61 over the Eagles, advancing to the final game in the NAIA Men's Basketball Opening Round.
SAGU was led by
Joshua Kashila's big 24-point night. Kashila would go 10-15 from the field and 4-9 from deep while pulling in 4 rebounds and dishing out 4 assists.
Joel Polius followed with 13 points and 9 rebounds, while
Isaiah Boling added 11 points and 6 rebounds. Boling would shoot 4-8 from the field and 3-5 from three. Finally,
Noah Boling finished the night with 9 points on 3-4 shooting from three while dishing out 4 assists.
The Lions will now face Montana Tech on Saturday, March 12, at 5:30 PM in the Sheaffer Center Arena. The winner will advance to the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Final Site in Kansas City, Missouri.
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.
