February 1, 2025

Waxahachie, TX – In a hard-fought Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) showdown, the Nelson University Lady Lions took on the formidable Wayland Baptist Pioneers at the Sheaffer Center. Despite an inspired performance, Nelson fell 75-59 to the SAC powerhouse.  

The Lady Lions came out with intensity, as forwards Kyla McMinn and Kate Miller set the tone early with back-to-back baskets. However, Wayland's aggressive attack quickly took control, pushing out to a 23-11 lead by the end of the first quarter.  

Undeterred, Nelson fought back in the second quarter, led by the sharpshooting of Miller. The forward drained two three-pointers and poured in 11 points in the period. With a gritty defensive effort, the Lady Lions outscored the Pioneers 19-15 in the quarter, narrowing the deficit to 38-30 at halftime.  

Kate Miller was the driving force for Nelson, finishing with a game-high 18 points, including three three-pointers and a perfect 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. Lauryn Scalice added 12 points, hitting three shots from beyond the arc, while Cailyn Tucker provided a key spark off the bench with 10 points.  

Kyla McMinn added six points and was a presence inside, while Wendy Clemmons played the role of distributor, dishing out six assists.  

The third quarter proved pivotal, as Wayland Baptist ramped up the defensive pressure, limiting Nelson to just 10 points. Despite a strong push in the final period, where the Lady Lions matched Wayland's 19 points, the deficit proved too much to overcome.  

Wayland Baptist's Megan Nestor dominated in the paint, recording a game-high 32 points and 16 rebounds. Kaitlyn Jerden added 26 points, showcasing her deep-range shooting.  
 

Looking Ahead
The Lady Lions (6-16, 5-14 SAC) will aim to bounce back on the road as they travel to McPherson, KS, to take on Central Christian College on Thursday, February 6 at 6:00 PM.  

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.