March 15, 2025
ALEXANDRIA, LA – The Nelson University Lions left everything on the court in the NAIA National Championship Tournament Second Round, but their championship dreams came to an end against No. 1 seed LSU Alexandria. Despite a valiant effort, the Lions fell 77-65 at The Fort in Alexandria, Louisiana, closing the book on a remarkable season.
From the opening tip, Nelson showed no fear against the top-seeded Generals. CJ Hall led the charge with an electrifying 27-point performance, knocking down 11-of-21 shots from the field while also dishing out five assists. Micah Clark the human highlight reel was a force off the bench, adding 15 points and five rebounds, while team captain Justin Collins provided a spark with 12 points and six boards.
The Lions went into halftime trailing 42-33, but they continued to battle in the second half, cutting the deficit to as little as six points with under eight minutes to play. However, LSUA's ability to crash the boards and capitalize on second-chance opportunities proved to be the difference. The Generals held a 39-30 rebounding advantage and outscored Nelson 18-6 in second-chance points.
Key Moments & Performances
- CJ Hall (27 PTS, 5 AST, 2 STL) – Led all scorers with an aggressive offensive attack.
- Micah Clark (15 PTS, 5 REB) – Provided energy and timely baskets off the bench.
- Justin Collins (12 PTS, 6 REB, 4-4 FT) – Knocked down key shots to keep Nelson in the fight.
- The Lions shot 42.9% from the field and 36.8% from three, but struggled to match LSUA's physicality on the glass.
- LSUA's Kashie Natt (21 PTS, 9 REB) and Jason Perry II (15 PTS, 5 3PTM) fueled the Generals' offensive surge.
With the loss, Nelson University concludes an unforgettable 24-9 season, highlighted by a conference regular season championship and an impressive postseason run. The Lions graduate five outstanding seniors, whose leadership and dedication have set a strong foundation for the program's future. While this chapter ends, the hunger for more remains. Nelson will return next season looking to build on this momentum and take the next step toward national contention.
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.
