January 4, 2023

Waxahachie, TX - In a thrilling exhibition matchup marking the commencement of the new year, the Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lions showcased their talent as they went head-to-head against the Oklahoma City University (OCU) Stars in an intense Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) battle at the Sheaffer Center in Waxahachie, Texas.

Lions Review
From the opening tip-off, the Lions asserted themselves as the hungrier team, storming to a 9-0 lead. CJ Kelley's layups and CJ Hall's precision from beyond the arc fueled the early offensive surge. Despite the Stars clawing back, Trace Boling, coming off the bench, ignited a scoring spree with consecutive three-pointers. Boling's defensive tenacity disrupted the Stars' rhythm, leading to an early layup for Justin Collins.

In the second half, the Lions showcased their resilience, relying on team defense to thwart an Oklahoma City scoring run. Cortland Blake emerged as a formidable force in the paint, combining a soft touch with aggressive post-ups. Team captain Noah Boling contributed clutch shooting, securing a hard-fought victory. JJ Boling's defensive prowess, protecting the rim with long arms and athleticism, added to the Lions' dominance.
 

Key Stats: Balanced Contributions Lead to Victory

• CJ Hall: 15 points
• CJ Kelley: 13 points
• Cortland Blake: 13 points
• Noah Boling: 12 points
• JJ Boling: 12 points
• Trace Boling: 7 points
• Alerick Hall and Justin Collins: Combined for 13 assists

Next Up
With the taste of victory still fresh, the Lions set their sights on a crucial Sooner Athletic Conference showdown against John Brown University. The highly anticipated battle is scheduled to unfold at the Sheaffer Center in Waxahachie, TX, on Saturday, January 6th, at 3:45 PM.

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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.