October 26, 2023

Waxahachie, TX - It was a winter wonderland in October as the Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lions men's basketball team kicked off their 2023-24 season in style. The Lions faced off against the Arlington Baptist University (ABU) Patriots at the Sheaffer Center in Waxahachie, Texas, and they delivered a spectacular performance that left fans in awe. The final score? A commanding 95-56 victory for the home team.
 

Lion Review
The game got off to an electrifying start when CJ Hall converted the first basket of the season, assisted by none other than his brother, Alerick Hall. It was a promising beginning to what would become a memorable evening for the SAGU faithful. Following the opening basket, SAGU fans celebrated in style by hurling ping pong balls onto the court, marking the start of the annual SAGU men's basketball tradition known as the "Texas Snow Storm."

In the first half, CJ Kelley displayed his incredible rim protection skills, swatting away ABU floaters and layup attempts with ease. Meanwhile, center Kylon Owens was a rebounding machine, snatching every board he could reach.

CJ Hall led all scorers in the first half with 14 points, while Alerick Hall contributed 11 more, propelling the Lions to a 44-32 lead over the ABU Patriots at halftime. Head Coach Delton Deal emphasized disciplined movements and the importance of trusting the fundamentals during the break.

The second half saw Justin Collins take center stage, dishing out a barrage of assists that left the crowd in awe. His alley-oop lobs and no-look bounce passes created numerous highlight-reel plays and got his teammates involved in the action. Noah Jonker, JJ Boling, and CJ Kelley were among the recipients of Collins' unselfish passing.

Off the bench, Jacory Dawkins added hustle and energy to help extend the SAGU scoring advantage. Dion Grisnold and Dylan Pitt sealed the deal with back-to-back layups in traffic, putting the finishing touches on the Lions' impressive victory. The final score saw SAGU triumph with a dominant 95-56 win.
 

Key Stats

• Alerick Hall led the way with 24 points and seven assists.
• CJ Hall finished the game with 22 points.
• CJ Kelley dominated the boards with nine rebounds.
• Justin Collins dazzled with seven assists.

The Hall brothers' dynamic duo, combined with exceptional teamwork and solid defense, set the tone for what promises to be an exciting season ahead for the SAGU Lions.

Next Up
Next up on Nov 6 (Mon) at 7:30 PM the SAGU Lions will face off against Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas for their first road contest of the 2023-24 season.

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.