February 1, 2025   

Waxahachie, TX – The Sheaffer Center was electric Saturday afternoon as the Nelson University Lions secured a hard-fought 76-69 victory over Wayland Baptist University in a clash of the top two teams in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC). The win marked a milestone moment for Head Coach Deal, who notched his 300th career victory.  

The Lions wasted no time asserting themselves, using an efficient 48.5% shooting performance in the first half to build a 40-30 halftime lead. Guard Micah Clark was sensational, scoring 11 first-half points, while JJ Boling and Trace Boling provided sharpshooting from beyond the arc.  

Wayland Baptist came roaring back in the second half, closing the gap to just five points late in the game. But when the moment called for it, Micah Clark delivered a jaw-dropping steal and windmill slam that sent the crowd into a frenzy, shifting the momentum back in Nelson's favor. Clark finished with a game-high 24 points on 11-for-16 shooting. 

The Lions held their composure in crunch time, with Justin Collins knocking down key free throws (8-for-8) and CJ Hall orchestrating the offense with 16 points and five assists. Nelson's defensive pressure proved pivotal, forcing 22 Wayland turnovers and converting them into 31 points.  

This victory was more than just another conference win—it cemented Head Coach Deal's 300th career win, a testament to his leadership and impact on the Nelson basketball program.  

What's Next?
With momentum on their side, the Lions (17-6, 15-4 SAC) hit the road for a matchup against Central Christian College on Thursday, February 6 at 8:00 PM in McPherson, KS.

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.