February 27, 2025

Waxahachie, TX – The Nelson University Lions proved why they are the No. 1 seed, delivering a commanding 82-65 victory over UNT Dallas in the opening round of the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) Tournament at the Sheaffer Center. With a packed crowd of  fans fueling their energy, the Lions pulled away in the second half to punch their ticket to the next round in Langston, Oklahoma.

The Lions opened strong, setting the pace with high-flying dunks from Micah Clark and the court vision of Alerick Hall. Jordan Jenkins was a force on the boards, controlling the paint and racking up offensive rebounds to keep possessions alive. Despite a few runs from UNT Dallas, Nelson University maintained control, leading 39-33 at halftime.

Coming out of the break, Nelson tightened up defensively while finding an offensive rhythm. CJ Hall stepped up as a playmaker, while Justin Collins delivered in crucial moments. The Lions dominated the glass, out-rebounding their opponents 36-29, and their depth shined with 29 bench points compared to UNT Dallas' 7.

Jordan Jenkins continued his dominance in the paint, finishing with 15 rebounds and looking every bit like Texas Tech's JT Toppin with his relentless energy. Micah Clark remained a highlight machine, and Preston Lawrence was deadly from beyond the arc, going 4-for-5 from deep.  

Final Numbers & Key Performances

• CJ Hall: 17 points, 4 assists  
• Jordan Jenkins: 14 points, 15 rebounds  
• Micah Clark: 12 points, 4 rebounds  
• Preston Lawrence: 12 points, 4-5 3PT  
• Justin Collins & Trace Boling: 6 points each off the bench  

With 24 points off turnovers and 42 points in the paint, Nelson controlled the game on both ends. Their defensive effort led to 10 steals, frustrating UNT Dallas all night.

What's Next?
The Lions now set their sights on Langston, Oklahoma, where they will face their next challenge in the SAC Tournament on Monday. #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.