Waxahachie, TX | March 14, 2026 – With a trip to the NAIA Sweet Sixteen and historic Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City on the line, the Nelson University Lions delivered a gritty second-half fight but ultimately fell 99–94 to No. 8 seed Benedictine University Mesa Saturday evening in the Second Round of the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament inside the Sheaffer Center.
The matchup carried the intensity and urgency expected from a postseason elimination game. Both squads entered the contest knowing that every possession could determine whether their season continued or ended. The Lions struck first early, but Benedictine Mesa quickly found its rhythm behind hot perimeter shooting. The Redhawks knocked down eight three-pointers in the opening half while shooting nearly 56 percent from the field, building momentum that silenced the Sheaffer Center crowd.
Led by Damian Zivak, who finished with a game-high 30 points, Mesa surged ahead midway through the first half and eventually stretched its lead to as many as 26 points. Despite strong interior scoring from Jesse Iweze, Nelson entered halftime trailing 57–37 as the Redhawks capitalized on their shooting efficiency and free-throw opportunities.
True to their identity all season long, the Lions refused to go quietly.
Nelson came out of the locker room with renewed intensity, attacking the paint and forcing turnovers to chip away at the deficit. The Lions shot over 58 percent in the second half, igniting a furious comeback that energized the Sheaffer Center crowd.
Iweze powered the charge in the paint, finishing with 27 points and five rebounds, while Micah Clark added 21 points and six rebounds, delivering several key baskets during Nelson's rally. Fresh legs off the bench also made an impact. Brionne Williams was electric in the second half, finishing with 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting, providing a major spark as the Lions clawed back into the game.
Nelson cut the deficit to just three points late in the final minute, bringing the crowd to its feet and putting immense pressure on Benedictine Mesa. But clutch free throws by the Redhawks in the closing seconds ultimately sealed the outcome. While the final score closed the door on Nelson's postseason run, the Lions' season will be remembered as one of the most successful in program history.
The team finished 26–6 overall, captured the Sooner Athletic Conference regular-season championship for the second consecutive year, and hosted the opening rounds of the NAIA National Tournament inside the Sheaffer Center.
Head Coach Delton Deal and the Lions last advanced to the NAIA Round of 16 in 2022, and this year's squad once again positioned the program among the nation's top contenders.
Beyond wins and championships, this group represented Nelson University with excellence both on and off the court, embodying the program's culture of character, brotherhood, and relentless effort.
Looking Ahead
Although the Lions' journey toward Kansas City ended Saturday night, the foundation built by this team will continue to shape the future of Nelson Basketball.
The 2025–26 Lions leave behind a season filled with championship moments, unforgettable crowds inside the Sheaffer Center, and a standard of excellence that will continue to define the program moving forward.
And while the Sweet Sixteen remains the next milestone on the horizon, one thing remains certain:
The roar of the Lions is only getting louder.
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.
