Plainview, TX | December 4, 2025 — On a chilly West Texas night, the No. 18 Nelson University Lions went into one of the toughest buildings in the Sooner Athletic Conference and walked out with a statement win. Road environment? Ranked opponent? Momentum crowd? The Lions embraced all of it, outlasting RV Wayland Baptist University 94–86 in a wire-to-wire, high-octane SAC showdown.

From the opening tip, Nelson played with a poise and toughness that traveled. The Lions shot a blistering 53.1% from the field and piled up 26 assists on 34 made baskets, carving up Wayland's rotations with discipline and confidence. But what truly separated Nelson on Thursday night? Three star bigs rising at the same time: Ferlin Joseph, Micah Clark, and Jesse Iweze.

Every team needs a momentum-breaker, a player who steps in and flips the tempo instantly. On Thursday, that was Ferlin Joseph. In just eight minutes of action, he delivered a flawless 5-for-5 shooting performance, finishing with 10 massive points, timely buckets that halted WBU runs and reignited Nelson's rhythm whenever the arena started to swell. His efficiency was electric, his touches decisive, and his presence off the bench was pure gold for Coach Deal's squad.
While Ferlin lit the spark, Micah Clark kept the engine roaring. Clark was sensational, posting a dominant 23-point, 11-rebound double-double, punishing Wayland inside, stretching the floor, and securing every critical board in traffic. Whether it was muscling through contact, hitting timely threes, or controlling the glass, Clark set the tone for Nelson's physicality and pace. His relentlessness on the defensive boards (nine of them) repeatedly erased Wayland's second-chance hopes. 

And then came the difference maker Jesse Iweze.
You don't win road games in the SAC without a closer. And on Thursday, that closer was Jesse.

Iweze delivered a smooth, powerful 20-point, 7-rebound, 3-assist masterclass, shooting 7-for-11 from the field and imposing himself defensively when it mattered most. His presence in the paint altered Wayland's rhythm, his footwork and touch punished mismatches, and his late-game discipline sealed the win. Every time Wayland grabbed momentum, Jesse snatched it right back. He was the stabilizer. The finisher. The difference. 

Nelson's depth once again proved elite, with 34 bench points and dual playmakers orchestrating the offense:

• JJ Boling knocked down three triples on his way to 11 points.

• Ozavian Buford was outstanding with 13 points and six assists, shooting 3-for-5 from deep.

• Trelin Green played a poised floor game with six points, seven assists, and two steals quietly steering the ship on the road.

Wayland Baptist, undefeated entering the night, put up a fight behind 20 points from Marcus Green and 18 from Rico Yarbrough, but Nelson's pace, execution, and depth ultimately proved too much. 

By halftime, Nelson held a 44–37 lead. By the final horn, they had completed one of the most complete team wins of the season.

Next Up
The road swing continues.

• December 6 (Saturday) • 4 PM
• Goodwell, Oklahoma
• Nelson University at Oklahoma Panhandle State University

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.