January 2, 2025
Bethany, OK – The Nelson University Lady Lions kicked off the New Year in dramatic fashion, traveling to Bethany, Oklahoma, for an intense Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) matchup against the Southwestern Christian University Eagles. Despite their valiant effort, the Lady Lions fell short in a tightly contested game, 81-76.
The Lady Lions started 2025 with a bang, as Kate Miller nailed a three-pointer from the wing for the first basket of the year after an impressive opening defensive stand. Nelson showcased early intensity on both ends of the court, jumping out to a 23-17 lead after the first quarter.
However, Southwestern Christian responded with a dominant second quarter, outscoring Nelson 26-12 to take a 43-35 advantage into halftime. The Lady Lions struggled to find their rhythm offensively during this stretch, while the Eagles capitalized with sharp execution.
Nelson refused to back down, clawing their way back into the game in the second half. The dynamic duo of Autumn Moore and Paris Miller powered the comeback effort. Autumn Moore was sensational, attacking the rim relentlessly and sinking an impressive 12-of-14 free throws. Her ability to draw fouls and convert at the line was crucial in keeping Nelson within striking distance.
Paris Miller provided a spark off the bench, scoring 14 points on an efficient 6-of-13 shooting, including two clutch three-pointers. Her energy and determination on the floor ignited the Lady Lions as they battled to close the gap.
The fourth quarter saw Nelson unleash a 27-point surge, their highest-scoring quarter of the game, cutting into the Eagles' lead. Despite their relentless effort, the Lady Lions couldn't quite overcome Southwestern Christian's balanced attack.
By the Numbers
- Autumn Moore: 12-of-14 from the free-throw line, finishing with 20 points.
- Paris Miller: 14 points, 6-of-13 shooting, and 2-of-7 from beyond the arc.
- Kate Miller: Added 5 points, including her opening three-pointer.
The Lady Lions shot 36.7% from the field, hitting 31.0% from three-point range, and were stellar at the free-throw line, converting 82.1% of their attempts.
Looking Ahead
The Lady Lions (4-9, 3-7 SAC) will look to regroup and build on their promising performance as they hit the road again for their next SAC matchup. Nelson will take on the University of Science and Arts (Okla.) on Monday, January 6, at 6:00 PM in Chickasha, OK.
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-NELSON.
