The Lowdown: Mid-America Christian University @ Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Waxahachie, Texas
Live Video: http://www.sagu.edu/sagutv/channels/sports
Live Stats:
http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10
The Dish on the Evangels: The Evangels improved to 3-0 in the Sooner Athletic Conference for the first time since joining the NAIA in 2007 with a thrilling 103-100 victory over Northwood University last night (Jan. 2). With the score knotted at 100-100, Jarius Wilson hit a clutch three that proved to be the game-winner. MACU is also 7-2 overall on the season.
Semar Farris is leading the Evangels in both scoring (21.1 ppg), assists (53) and steals (23). Angelo Lewis is right behind at 19.4 ppg along with 5.9 rebounds a game. Jarius Wilson (14.7 ppg) is also scoring in double-figures for MACU.
The Dish on the Lions: The No. 3-ranked (T-3rd) and defending NAIA National Runner Up Southwestern Assemblies of God University Lions are riding a three-game winning streak and are 8-1 overall after winning 89-76 at Oklahoma Baptist University last night in their SAC opener.
Dominique Rambo made his 2013-14 debut last night and scored a game-high 40 points to lead the Lions to the win over OBU. Jonathan Walter leads the Lions with 19.3 ppg overall this season, followed by Caleb Gentry at 15.8 ppg and a team-best 35 assists. Caleb Feemster is scoring 15.2 ppg and leads SAGU with 8.7 rebounds.
The Series: Despite this being SAGU's initial season in the SAC, the two programs are quite familiar with each other as both are NCCAA schools. In the last six years, the Evangels are 3-1 against SAGU, with all four meetings coming at the NCCAA Tournament, including MACU defeating the Lions 77-69 to capture the 2009-10 NCCAA Central Regional championship.
The Coaches:
Willie Holley is in his 41st season as head coach at Mid-America Christian University and his 776 career victories rank first in school history and second all-time in the NAIA.
Holley helped the Evangels become competitive in a short period of time in the Sooner Athletic Conference and broke through last season. Holley guided the Evangels to their highest-ever finish of third in the SAC with a 9-7 league record. MACU made their first appearance in the NAIA Top 25 in school history, coming in as high as tied for 23rd. The Evangels went on to capture their 20th NCCAA Central Regional Championship and finished fifth at the NCCAA National Tournament.
The 2012-13 season also featured guard Charlie Shorter, who was named SAC Player of the Year, NCCAA National Player of the Year and was a first-team NAIA All-America selection. It's the third straight season Holley has coached an NAIA All-American, as Shorter and Brandon Williams were Honorable-Mention selections in 2011-12 and 2010-11, respectively.
Holley's coaching style is to establish in his players a "no quit" attitude. This style led to an improbable NCCAA National Championship in 2007. The title was the fourth of Holley's illustrious career as he previously won the championship in 1998, 2003, and 2004. This year the plan is to take that same attitude and improve on last season's effort.
During his time at Mid-America, Holley has become a fixture in the athletic program, as he served as Athletic Director from 1973-2012. In 1997, Holley was inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame, and he has been named the NCCAA Division II Coach of the Year four times - 1985, 1995, 2000 and 2004. Holley has also coached 17 All- Americans and won numerous conference and regional championships.
Holley earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from University of Louisiana - Monroe in 1970. He and his wife, Janet, have three daughters: Angela, Jessica and Stacey.
Donnie Bostwick is in his third season at the helm of SAGU with a record of 68-17. Bostwick made an immediate impact with the Lions by guiding them to the NAIA National Championship game last year in his second year.
Up Next: The Evangels will stay on the road and play at Oklahoma Baptist University on Tuesday night (Jan. 7) at 8 p.m. in Shawnee, Okla.
