February 26, 2025
Waxahachie, TX – For the first time since the 2020-21 season, Nelson University has earned the No. 1 seed in the 2025 Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) Men's Basketball Tournament, presented by the Oklahoma Ford Dealers. With an outstanding season that saw the Lions finish 21-7 overall and 19-5 in conference play, Nelson now turns its focus to postseason play, starting on Feb. 27 at home.
Ranked 24th in the final NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll, Nelson University exceeded expectations after being projected as the runner-up in the SAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Lions' dominance throughout the season has now placed them in prime position to compete for the conference title and an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament.
The Lions will kick off the SAC Tournament at the Sheaffer Center in Waxahachie, Texas, where they will face No. 8 seed UNT-Dallas at 7 p.m. The Trailblazers, making their first postseason appearance since 2021-22, finished the season with a 13-14 overall record and a 10-14 mark in conference play. Nelson bested UNT-Dallas twice this season, winning 78-74 and 94-79 in their regular-season meetings. With the home crowd behind them, the Lions will look to capitalize on this momentum.
What's Next?
A win would advance Nelson to the semifinal round in Langston, Oklahoma, on March 3 at 6 p.m. The SAC Championship game is set for March 4 at 8 p.m. in Langston, where the conference's top teams will battle for the coveted title.
Fan Support is Key
Nelson University Athletics is calling on all fans to pack the Sheaffer Center and create an electrifying atmosphere. "The fans make the basketball experience second to none, and we really look forward to seeing you guys at the game this Thursday," said Head Coach Delton Deal.
Ways to Support the Lions:
With everything on the line, the Lions are ready to roar their way through the SAC Tournament. The journey to a championship starts now!
#WhereLionsFindTheirRoar
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.
