November 23, 2024

Plainview, TX – The RV Nelson University Lions took to the hardwood at the Hutcherson Center in Plainview, Texas, for a hard-fought Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) matchup against Wayland Baptist University. Despite a valiant second-half comeback, the Lions fell just short in a 73-72 thriller.
 

Lions Review
The Lions found themselves trailing 34-27 at the break, as Wayland Baptist capitalized on their hot shooting in the first half. But Nelson University was far from done.

Led by CJ Hall, who poured in a team-high 18 points while stuffing the stat sheet with four assists and two steals, the Lions roared back in the second half. Alerick Hall added 14 points and six assists, orchestrating the offense with poise and speed, while JJ Boling contributed a crucial 15 points, including a smooth 5-for-9 from beyond the arc.

Defensively, the Lions turned up the intensity in the final 20 minutes, forcing Wayland Baptist into tough shots and limiting their second-chance opportunities. The Lions' bench getting strong scoring contributions from CJ Dennis and Dallas Smith also played a key role, chipping in 16 points to keep the game within reach.

With just over two minutes left, Nelson clawed their way to a seven-point lead, showcasing clutch determination. However, Wayland Baptist responded with a final push, hitting clutch free throws in the closing moments to edge out the victory by a single point.
 

What's Next?
The Lions (5-3, 3-2 SAC) are back on the road for another SAC showdown against Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas. Tip-off is set for Tuesday, November 26, at 8:00 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.