November 21, 2024

Goodwell, OK – The RV Nelson University Lions showcased resilience and poise as they rallied in the second half to defeat Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) 74-68 Thursday evening at the Anchor D Arena at Oscar Williams Field House. In a hard-fought battle, the Lions relied on their depth and second-half shooting to outlast the Aggies in a pivotal conference matchup.

The game began with an explosive start for OPSU, who surged to a narrow 34-29 lead by halftime. The Lions struggled to find their rhythm offensively in the first half, shooting just 37.5% from the field. However, Nelson's balanced attack and determination kept them within striking distance.

CJ Hall emerged as the standout performer for the Lions, delivering a game-high 19 points on 7-of-17 shooting. Hall's aggressive drives to the basket and perfect 5-of-5 free-throw shooting set the tone for Nelson's relentless second-half comeback. Teammate Noah Jonker provided a critical spark, scoring 16 points while knocking down two three-pointers. His ability to splash the long ball proved crucial during crunch time.

Latrel Davis also stepped up, contributing 13 points and five rebounds. Davis's two three-pointers and monster slam dunk in the second half came at pivotal moments, swinging momentum firmly in Nelson's favor. The Lions found their groove after halftime, shooting an impressive 51.6% from the floor and 40% from beyond the arc in the final 20 minutes.

Nelson's depth played a significant role in the victory, as the bench accounted for an outstanding 33 points. JJ Boling and Trace Boling combined for 10 points and nine rebounds, providing valuable minutes on both ends of the floor. The Lions' dominance in second-chance opportunities (16 points) and points off turnovers (16 points) highlighted their ability to capitalize on mistakes.

Defensively, the Lions clamped down on OPSU in the second half, limiting the Aggies to 34 points. Despite trailing for much of the first half, Nelson displayed composure and executed down the stretch, never allowing the game to slip away. The Lions secured their largest lead of the game, six points, with just under 3 minutes remaining and maintained control through the final buzzer.
 

What's Next?
The Lions continue their conference road trip on Saturday, taking on Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas. Tip-off is set for 4:00 PM. 

Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.