Waxahachie, TX | January 10, 2026 — The No. 12 Nelson University Lions delivered one of the most electrifying games of the season Saturday afternoon inside the Sheaffer Center, but a back-and-forth SAC thriller ultimately went the visitors' way as College of the Ozarks escaped with a 109–105 double-overtime victory.
What began as a challenging opening half turned into a full-blown shootout. Ozarks caught fire early, building a double-digit lead behind a barrage of perimeter shooting, while Nelson struggled to find rhythm offensively. Still, the Lions never blinked. Trailing by 13 at the break, Nelson stormed out of the locker room with renewed purpose, flipping the game on its head in the second half.
Micah Clark was sensational, putting together a performance for the ages. The senior guard poured in 50 points, attacking from all three levels and repeatedly delivering in pressure moments. Jesse Iweze provided a powerful inside presence with 18 points and 10 rebounds, helping Nelson dominate the paint during its second-half surge. The Lions outscored Ozarks 56–43 after halftime, forcing overtime in dramatic fashion.
From there, the Sheaffer Center turned into a cauldron. The teams traded punches through the first extra period, with Clark scoring nine of Nelson's 11 overtime points to keep the Lions alive. A second overtime followed, featuring lead changes, clutch shots, and defensive stands on both ends. Despite late triples and a final push, Ozarks converted at the free-throw line in the closing seconds to seal the outcome.
Nelson finished with five players scoring in double figures and piled up 26 fast-break points, showcasing the pace and pressure that defines the Lions' style. While the result stung, the effort and execution under fire reflected a team built for the long haul of conference play.
Next Up
The road doesn't get any easier. The Lions head to Fort Worth on Monday, January 12 at 8:00 PM for a highly anticipated SAC rematch against cross-town rival Texas Wesleyan. The first meeting went to overtime, and if Saturday was any indication, another classic could be on deck.
Nelson University (formerly SA GU) 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.
