Waxahachie, TX – SAGU Men's Basketball took a 77-63 victory over Montana Tech in the NAIA Men's Basketball Opening Round final game on Saturday night in the Sheaffer Center Arena. With this win in the Round of 32, the Lions will now advance to the Round of 16 in the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament held in Kansas City, Missouri. The 84
th Annual Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament is set to take place March 17-22 at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Lions will face No. 5 nationally ranked Thomas More University (29-4) in the Round of 16 after they defeated Stillman in the opening round, 80-67.
See the 2022 NAIA Men's Basketball Opening Round Results
here.
See the NAIA Men's Basketball Championship Bracket
here.
The Lions once again stepped up to the challenge against the No. 3 seed Montana Tech, as they held the Orediggers to shooting just 38% from the field and 23% from the three-point line. SAGU continued to demonstrate their fast pace offense as they shot 46% from the field (27-58) and 36% from three (7-19). The Lions also knocked down 16-18 from the free throw line (88.9%).
Both teams exchanged buckets through the first eight minutes of the game, but at the twelve-minute mark the Lions would go on an 18-2 run, putting them up 27-14. With just five minutes left in the first half, SAGU continued to push the pace as they went on a 10-2 run and took a 39-27 lead into halftime.
The second half would prove to be the Lions' best half from deep as they shot 40% from three (4-10), and they added 10 made free throws, going 10-11 from the charity stripe (90%).
Isaiah Boling opened up the second half with a quick three to put SAGU up by 15, and on the next possession
Nathan Bailey would follow with a graceful jumper to continue building the Lions' lead. Montana Tech began to find their rhythm coming out of halftime, but the Lions' defense didn't slow up and halfway through the half, SAGU would go on a 15-4 run. The run would take them to the three-minute mark and give them a comfortable twenty-point lead. With just three minutes left in the game, SAGU would control the clock as it was too much for the Orediggers to overcome. The Lions would go on to take the 77-63 win, advancing to the Round of 16 in the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament held in Kansas City, Missouri.
Nykolas Mason saw his best game since returning from a lingering injury. Mason finished the night with 23 points, shooting 7-10 from the field, 1-1 from three, and 8-10 from the free throw line.
Joel Polius followed with a near double-double, scoring 16 points and pulling in 8 rebounds.
Nathan Bailey and
Joshua Kashila both added 10 points each, and Bailey pulled in 6 rebounds.
SAGU will now face No. 5 nationally ranked Thomas More University (29-4) in the Round of 16 at the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament. The game will take place in Kansas City, Missouri at the Municipal Auditorium on either March 17 or 18; the tip-off time 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.
