March 8, 2023

Uptown, NO: On Wednesday night at The Den in Uptown, New Orleans, the Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lions men's basketball team played a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men's Basketball Second Round Championship contest against the GCAC champions the Tougaloo College (TC) Bulldogs. 

Two riveting halves of basketball battling between the Tougaloo Bulldogs and SAGU Lions ended with a 75-62 SAGU Lions loss. 

Lion Review

• The SAGU Lions went to their reliable inside-scoring sources of Philbert Weekes and Cortland Blake to begin the contest. The frontcourt of the Lions could take full advantage of their immense strength by posting on the low blocks and scoring with ease.

• Brooks Haddock gave the Lions their biggest lead of the game after converting all of his free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt by an overzealous Bulldog defender.

• In response, the Tougaloo Bulldogs scored back-to-back baskets on fastbreaks to slice the lead. Following an offensive rebound, an Alerick Hall and-one floater energized the SAGU team and put an end to the Bulldog scoring streak.

• The SAGU team was down 36-30 at the intermission. The Lions' priorities at halftime would be to reduce turnovers and limit Tougaloo's opportunities to score through offensive rebounding.

• In the second half of the game, Brooks Haddock scored on an array of midrange jumpers to counterattack the Tougaloo offense.

• Tyler Kinghorn emerged in the second half of the contest scoring eight of his nine points in the game's second frame. Kinghorn scored all of the bench points for SAGU. 

• Ultimately the ten Tougaloo three-pointers compared to the Lion's four gave the Bulldogs the advantage needed to win the game. 

• Top performers from SAGU were Cortland Blake, Philbert Weekes, and Brooks Haddock. Blake finished the game scoring 18 points and snatching eight rebounds. Weekes finished with a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds. Brooks added 16 points and three assists. 

• The Lions' top playmakers in the game were Alerick Hall and Noah Boling, who each had six assists.

Deal's Declaration 

"What an incredible season by these young men. They have blessed this university as well as myself. Tough loss, but I loved the perseverance, and you won't find a coach more proud of their team! Pure joy coaching them!" SAGU head men's basketball coach Delton Deal said.

Next Step

The Lions of Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) will transition into the offseason in preparation for 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.