February 17, 2024

Bethany, OK - In a thrilling Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) showdown, the Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lions embarked on a mission to spoil the senior night festivities of the Southwestern Christian University (SCU) Eagles, igniting a fierce battle on the court at the Pickens-Springer Gym in Bethany, Oklahoma.
 

Lions Review
From the opening tip-off, both teams showcased their hunger for victory, but it was the Lions who emerged as the dominant force, setting the tone early with a scorching display of three-point shooting to counter the Eagles' zone defense. Alerick Hall orchestrated the offense with poise and aggression, distributing the basketball masterfully and igniting the Lions' offensive onslaught.

One of the highlights of the first half was Noah Boling's spectacular steal and no-look pass, fueling a breakaway layup by CJ Hall and electrifying the crowd. By halftime, the Lions had surged ahead with a commanding 55-36 lead, fueled by impressive performances from Cortland Blake, Noah Boling, and CJ Hall, all of whom had already reached double-digit scoring marks. The Lions' ball movement was exceptional, tallying an impressive 16 assists in the first half alone.

In the second half, Noah Boling continued to orchestrate smart plays, while the Lions' defensive prowess stifled the Eagles' offense, allowing the lead to expand further. Key contributions from the bench infused additional energy and advantage for the Lions, ultimately culminating in a resounding 105-78 victory.

Key Stats

• Noah Boling led the Lions' charge with a stellar performance, tallying 24 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.
• CJ Hall contributed 19 points and recorded five assists, showcasing his versatility as an offensive threat.
• Cortland Blake added 17 points and narrowly missed out on a double-double with one rebound shy.
• JJ Boling chipped in with 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Noah Jonker added 12 points to the scoreboard.
• Alerick Hall facilitated the offense with seven assists, further highlighting the Lions' exceptional ball movement.
• SAGU dominated the stat sheet, tallying 29 assists compared to the Eagles' 20 and outrebounding them 44 to 28.
• The Lions' sharpshooting was on full display, sinking 17 three-pointers out of 32 attempts.
• Contributions from the bench were crucial, with 28 bench points adding depth to the Lions' lineup.
• SAGU capitalized on opportunities in the paint, scoring 34 points, and capitalized on turnovers, adding 12 points off turnovers to their tally.

Up Next
With momentum on their side, the Lions will return home to host Oklahoma Panhandle State University on February 22nd (Thursday) at 7:45 PM in Waxahachie, Texas. 

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.