January 18, 2023

Oklahoma City, OK - In a thrilling Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) showdown, the No. 25 Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lions clashed with the Mid-America Christian University (MACU) Evangels on Thursday evening in Oklahoma City.

Lions Review 
Despite MACU's early advantage, the SAC's leading scorer, CJ Hall, showcased his crafty moves, scoring on mid-range pull-ups and narrowing the deficit. Trace Boling's entrance off the bench brought joy, contributing with super long-range three-pointers.

A pivotal moment in the first half featured a Lions scoring run, flipping the advantage and forcing MACU to call a timeout. Notable highlights included Cortland Blake and Trace Boling's three-pointers, CJ Hall's shifty crossovers, and Kylon Owen's powerful rebounds.

At halftime, the Lions trailed 39-37, with CJ Hall leading all first-half scorers with 12 points. The second half witnessed a lead change four times, with Alerick Hall's dynamite drives showcasing his playmaking skills.

In the game's defining moments, both well coached teams faced a scoring drought, displaying tight defense and scouting discipline. Despite a valiant effort, MACU secured a 78-68 victory.

Key stats highlight CJ Hall's 23 points, Cortland Blake's 22 points, and Alerick Hall's 13 points, complemented by six assists and a team-high six rebounds. The Lions' flawless 11/11 free throw shooting was marred by a rare 25% shooting performance from beyond the arc. Trace Boling contributed eight points, but SAGU was outrebounded 47-33 and outscored in the paint 44-28.

Next Up
Looking ahead, the Lions will regroup at the Sheaffer Center in Waxahachie, TX, where they aim to bounce back against Southwestern Christian University in another challenging conference battle. 

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.