Kansas City, MO – The SAGU Men's Basketball team fell 74-44 to the No. 2 seed Thomas More on Friday afternoon in the Round of 16 at the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament. The Lions now finish their historic season with a 24-9 overall record after winning the 2022 Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament Championship, winning the 2022 NAIA National Championship Tournament Opening Round, and advancing to the Round of 16 in the NAIA National Championship Tournament.
The six SAGU Basketball seniors include
Nathan Bailey,
Joel Polius,
Nykolas Mason,
Isaiah Boling,
Joshua Kashila, and
Jacob Rainey. This senior class has left a lasting legacy on the SAGU Basketball program, as well as the university, as they have won three conference championships, two opening rounds, made a Fab Four run in 2020, and made a Round of 16 run in 2022.
Delton Deal, Head Men's Basketball Coach, said, "These guys have truly left a legacy at SAGU that will never be forgotten. Not only with their basketball ability but with their character and how they display Christ's love. They will be missed but never forgotten, and I'm lucky to have coached them."
In the Round of 16 game against Thomas More, SAGU was led by
Nathan Bailey who finished the game with 20 points and 5 rebounds.
Joshua Kashila added 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. As a team, SAGU would shoot 32% from the field (17-53) and 35% from three (5-14).
During the 2021-22 season the Lions shot 45% from the field and 33% from three while out rebounding their opponent 40 to 36 per game. As a team, SAGU also averaged 16.1 assists per game and 8.1 steals per game. The Lions were led by
Nykolas Mason who averaged 17.3 points while
Joshua Kashila added 15.4.
Nathan Bailey followed averaging 10.3 points, and
Isaiah Boling averaged 9.6 while
Joel Polius averaged 9.4.
2021-22 Men's Basketball Season Stats
Deal said, "I'm so proud of this team for overcoming so many adversities and achieving so much success. They are a special group of men, and I couldn't have asked for more from them."
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.
