Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | December 13, 2025 —The No. 18 Nelson University Lions men's basketball team delivered a composed, physical road performance Saturday afternoon, knocking off Oklahoma City University 86–80 in a pivotal Sooner Athletic Conference showdown. Fueled by a commanding first half and a relentless effort from Micah Clark, the Lions secured a statement win in one of the SAC's toughest road environments.
From the opening tip, Nelson dictated the tempo. The Lions came out aggressive on both ends, attacking the paint and pushing the ball with purpose. Clark established himself early, scoring through contact and cleaning the glass, while Trelin Green orchestrated the offense with pace and precision. Nelson's shooting efficiency was sharp in the opening half, and a late surge pushed the lead to 48–32 at the break.
Oklahoma City responded with urgency in the second half, trimming the deficit behind strong perimeter shooting and increased physicality. But every push was met with composure from the Lions. Clark repeatedly answered with tough finishes inside, defensive rebounds in traffic, and timely baskets that steadied the moment. His presence anchored Nelson through the Eagles' rally attempts.
Clark finished with a game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds, delivering a dominant double-double that set the tone on both ends of the floor. Green followed with 18 points and eight assists, consistently breaking down the defense and creating scoring opportunities for teammates. Ozavian Buford provided a spark from the perimeter with 11 points, while JJ Boling and Jesse Iweze each added 10 to give Nelson balanced scoring across the lineup.
Despite Oklahoma City's late push, Nelson stayed disciplined, protecting the ball and converting key possessions down the stretch. The Lions shot over 53 percent from the floor and controlled the boards, making winning plays when it mattered most to close out the 86–80 road victory.
With the win, Nelson continues to assert itself as a force in the SAC, stacking confidence and momentum as conference play intensifies.
Next Up:
The Lions return home to the Sheaffer Center on Tuesday, December 16, hosting Florida Memorial University at 8:00 PM in Waxahachie, Texas.
Nelson University (formerly SA GU) 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.
