November 9, 2023

Waxahachie, TX - The Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lady Lions electrified their home crowd with a thrilling 67-61 victory over the Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OKWU) Eagles in their 2023-24 home opener at the Sheaffer Center in Waxahachie, Texas on Thursday afternoon. After a challenging road matchup against Division 1 powerhouse Abilene Christian, the Lady Lions returned home with determination, showcasing a display of skill, teamwork, and resilience.

Lions Review
The Lady Lions wasted no time making their mark on the game, with Chanie Chambers, Agar Farres Garcia, and Rylee Lavender setting the tone early. The trio unleashed a barrage of long-range three-pointers, establishing the theme of unselfish passing and dangerous shooting that would define the SAGU offense throughout the contest.

By the end of the first period, the Lady Lions boasted an impressive 50% shooting accuracy from the field and from beyond the arc. They tallied 5 assists on 6 made field goals, emphasizing their teamwork and precision.

The second period saw Cailyn Tucker navigating through heavy OKWU pressure for a contested left-handed layup, while Agar Farres Garcia dazzled the crowd with back-to-back spinning layups, earning her the affectionate chants of "Aggie, Aggie, Aggie!" from the enthusiastic fans. Farres Garcia also showcased her defensive commitment by taking two charges in the first half.

Heading into halftime with a 10-assist performance, the Lady Lions displayed not only offensive prowess but also a stifling defense that forced 12 first-half turnovers. Farres Garcia led all halftime scorers with 10 points, supported by Rylee Lavender's nine points and Autumn Moore's six.

The third period featured a highlight play from Lavender, converting an and-1 layup to break the tie after OKWU staged a scoring run to tie the game.

In the crucial fourth period, the Lady Lions leaned on the poise and shot-making of senior guard Rylee Lavender, who played a pivotal role in separating the two teams down the stretch. Farres Garcia contributed late-game heroics, sealing the victory with a stunning show-and-go move.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Lady Lions emerged triumphant with a 67-61 win. Lavender led all scorers with 18 points, showcasing her versatility with nine rebounds and six assists for a dominant all-around performance. Farres Garcia recorded her first double-double in a SAGU jersey, contributing 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Tucker added 13 points. Chanie Chambers led the team in assists with five.

Next Up
The victory not only marked a successful home opener for the Lady Lions but also showcased the depth and resilience of a team with the potential for an exciting season ahead. Next up the Lady Lions will face Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, OK on Nov 14 (Tue) at 6:00 PM

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.