Waxahachie, TX | January 31, 2026 — The No. 8 Nelson University Lions were locked into a high-octane battle Saturday afternoon at the Sheaffer Center but were unable to slow a red-hot Wayland Baptist attack, falling 102–87 in Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) play in front of an energetic home crowd.
The contest opened at a blistering pace, with both teams trading baskets and momentum throughout the first half. Nelson's offense was sharp and aggressive, shooting 60 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes and taking a 55–52 lead into halftime. Crisp ball movement, strong finishes at the rim, and timely perimeter shooting helped the Lions keep control despite constant pressure from the visitors.
Wayland Baptist seized control after the break. The Pioneers caught fire from beyond the arc, drilling nine three-pointers in the second half, while capitalizing on transition opportunities and second-chance points. Nelson struggled to find a rhythm offensively after halftime, shooting just 34.3 percent in the final period as Wayland outscored the Lions 50–32 to pull away late.
Micah Clark led Nelson with 16 points and nine rebounds, battling inside and on the glass all afternoon. Brionne Williams provided a major spark off the bench, finishing with 14 points on an efficient 7-of-8 shooting, while JJ Boling added 14 points, including three triples. Trelin Green chipped in 13 points, continuing his steady play in conference action.
Despite the loss, the Lions showed resilience throughout, winning the points-in-the-paint battle 42–36 and staying within striking distance deep into the second half before Wayland's shooting surge created separation.
Nelson moves to 17–4 overall and 12–3 in SAC play and will look to respond quickly as conference action continues.
Next Up:
The Lions head back on the road to make up a postponed SAC matchup, traveling to John Brown University (Ark.) on Monday, February 2, for a 7:00 PM tip in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
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.
