February 23, 2023

Chickasha, OK: On Thursday evening in Chickasha, Oklahoma, the Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lions men's basketball team played a Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) Tournament quarterfinals contest against the University of Science and Arts (USAO) Drovers.

Two riveting halves of basketball battling between the USAO Drovers and SAGU Lions ended with a 100-92 SAGU Lions victory.

 

Lion Review

• Both teams were looking forward to an epic clash after splitting their regular season contest matchups. During the regular season, the home team won the matchups. 

• Philbert Weekes and Cortland Blake had complete possession of the paint and scored easily over the outstretched hands of the Drover defense. Blake scored 18 first-half points and hit two first-half three-pointers, while Weekes scored 14 first-half points on 7/8 field goal percentages.

• In the first half of the game, Alerick Hall, who leads the Sooner Athletic Conference in assists, was a virtuoso of running the SAGU offense. Hall's floor general skills were on full display, with eight assists in the first half and zero turnovers.

• Brooks Haddock and Noah Boling each made two three-pointers before the halftime intermission. At the break, the Lions led the Drovers 54-46.

• Alerick Hall would blast off for three consecutive three-pointers in the second half to snap the scoring drought for SAGU. Hall had made two three-pointers going into the game; therefore, the junior point guard was focused and ready to contribute big in the postseason.

• Forward Cele Samkelo of the Drovers scored the majority of the points for the USAO. Samkelo attempted to score near the rim with a speedy first step, but Cortland Blake prevented him by sliding over for a tremendous block, a key momentum play for the Lions in the second half that led to a SAGU scoring spree.

• The second half saw more outstanding passing from Alerick Hall. Hall dropped dime after dime to his frontcourt of Philbert Weekes and Cortland Blake, who received the ball with delicate hands and made forceful finishes.

• A noteworthy statistic in the SAGU victory is the eleven offensive rebounds that the Lions converted into 16 second-chance points.

• Top performers for SAGU were Cortland Blake, Philbert Weekes, and Alerick Hall.

• Cortland Blake had 31 points and seven rebounds at the game's conclusion. Blake made five three-pointers, as well. 

• At the conclusion of the contest, Philbert Weekes had a double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds. Weekes had the most offensive rebounds in the game, with 5. 

• Alerick Hall set several season highs. With a season-high 13 points and a season-high 15 assists, Hall recorded a double-double.

• Noah Boling added 13 points. Brooks Haddock scored 12. JJ Boling contributed five points, and Trace Boling added three points and three rebounds.

 

Deal's Declaration  

"So proud of our team overcoming a lot of adversity this week. I told my team that big-time moments exist for big-time players, and that's what they are! We were together and had a lot of joy, and I couldn't be any prouder. We are really excited for the opportunity ahead of us," SAGU head men's basketball coach Delton Deal said.

 

Next Step

The Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lions will face Langston University in the quarterfinals round of the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) tournament.

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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.