November 26, 2024

Fort Worth, TX – The Nelson University Lions showcased grit and their scoring prowess in an 80-73 victory over the Texas Wesleyan Rams in an electrifying Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) rivalry clash on Tuesday night at the Sid Richardson Center.

The Lions stormed out of the gates, firing on all cylinders in the first half. Precision shooting and airtight defense led to a commanding 51-36 halftime lead. Preston Lawrence was unstoppable, scoring 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including a perfect 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. JJ Boling and Trace Boling chipped in with 10 and 11 points, respectively, with Trace dominating the boards and securing 6 rebounds.

Nelson's offensive machine thrived on their fast-paced tempo and efficient ball movement, converting 18 of 28 field goals (64.3%) in the opening half. The Lions' defensive intensity also forced key turnovers, creating opportunities for fast-break buckets and limiting the Rams' rhythm.

The second half saw Texas Wesleyan mount a furious comeback. Fueled by their home crowd, the Rams chipped away at the deficit with a 37-point half, but the Lions' defense held strong in critical moments. CJ Hall made his presence felt with stellar defensive plays, contributing 3 steals and 3 assists while battling on both ends of the court.

Despite the Rams' surge, Nelson's lead was never fully in jeopardy, thanks to the composure of the Lions' veterans. Noah Jonker's energy off the bench was pivotal, as he tallied 11 points and 5 rebounds in just 14 minutes of play. Dallas Smith added 7 points.

Preston Lawrence reflected on his hot hand: "My teammates put me in great spots, and once the shots started falling, it gave me confidence to keep attacking."
 

What's Next?
The Lions improve to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in SAC play with the win. They now turn their attention to a home matchup against Central Christian College (Kan.) on Thursday, December 5, at 6:00 PM in the Sheaffer Center. 

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.