February 29, 2024

Waxahachie, TX - The Sheaffer Center in Waxahachie, Texas, was pulsating with energy as the No. 24 Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lions locked horns with the John Brown University (JBU) Eagles in a heart-stopping Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) Tournament First Round showdown.

Lions Review
From the get-go, it was evident that this matchup would be nothing short of electrifying. With the lead exchanging hands four times in the first half, both teams, familiar foes from the regular season, were determined to showcase their postseason prowess.

Cortland Blake and CJ Hall spearheaded the Lions' offensive onslaught in the opening minutes, displaying sharpshooting prowess with bursts of scoring. Cortland notched an impressive 15 first-half points, while CJ added 12 of his own. Alerick Hall proved to be a dynamic playmaker, dishing out six assists to keep the Lions' offense firing on all cylinders.

Heading into halftime trailing by a narrow margin of 43-41, the Lions recognized the need to improve their rebounding to counter JBU's dominance on the offensive glass.

Despite a valiant effort in the second half, foul trouble and John Brown's proficiency from beyond the arc posed significant challenges for the Lions. However, a relentless surge led by Justin Collins injected a sense of urgency and sparked a change in momentum.

Cortland Blake and CJ Hall led the charge for the Lions, each contributing 24 points to the scoreboard. Blake also showcased his prowess on the boards, grabbing nine rebounds. Noah Boling provided crucial support with 19 points, while Alerick Hall made his presence felt with six assists and three steals. Justin Collins chipped in with six points to bolster the Lions' offensive output.

Despite their best efforts, SAGU struggled to contain JBU's three-point barrage, with the Eagles sinking 16 threes compared to the Lions' nine.

Next Up
The Lions will now turn their attention to the National Championship Tournament First Round, set to take place on their home court 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.