January 20, 2025

Waxahachie, TX – In a thrilling Sooner Athletic Conference showdown, the Nelson University Lady Lions eked out a hard-fought 76-73 victory over cross-town rival Texas Wesleyan University at the Sheaffer Center. With an electrified crowd of fans rallying behind them, the Lady Lions showcased resilience and teamwork to overcome challenges and clinch their fourth conference win of the season.

The Lady Lions (5-14, 4-12 SAC) entered the contest determined to make a statement. Although trailing 20-17 after the first quarter, they found their rhythm in the second, outscoring Texas Wesleyan 18-14 to take a narrow 35-34 lead at halftime. The third and fourth quarters were a showcase of back-and-forth action, with both teams trading the lead and making clutch plays.

Nelson's star performer, Ashley Gonzalez, led the offensive charge with an impressive 17 points, shooting a remarkable 5-for-12 from beyond the arc. She also grabbed five rebounds and delivered two critical steals, keeping the Lady Lions competitive during crunch time. Kameryn Phillips spearheaded Texas Wesleyan's efforts with a dominant 29 points and eight rebounds but couldn't overcome Nelson's collective determination.

A pivotal fourth-quarter surge, marked by clutch shooting and defensive stops, sealed the game for Nelson. The Lady Lions held their nerve as Autumn Moore's crucial free throws in the final seconds put the game out of reach.

Key Player Highlights

• Ashley Gonzalez: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
• Paris Miller: 9 points, 9 rebounds, solid presence in the paint
• Wendy Clemmons: 9 points, including key shots in critical moments

By the Numbers

• Nelson shot 40.0% from the field and an impressive 86.7% from the free-throw line, outpacing Texas Wesleyan's 73.1%.
• A strong contribution from the Lady Lions' bench added 43 points, showcasing the team's depth.
   

Looking Ahead
The Lady Lions return to action on Saturday, January 25th, at 4:00 PM when they host the University of North Texas – Dallas in another SAC clash at 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-NELSON.