OKLAHOMA CITY -- The defending regular season Sooner Athletic Conference champion Mid-America Christian University Evangels have been picked to finish tied for second in the SAC preseason poll, the league released today (Oct. 21). 

The Southwestern Assemblies of God University Lions received seven of nine first-place votes to take the top spot. The Lions are coming off a 22-11 record last season with an NAIA National Championship tournament appearance. 

The Evangels were tied for second with SAC tournament champion Wayland Baptist University.  

John Brown University and Texas Wesleyan University round out the top five, with the remainder of the poll being Oklahoma City University, USAO, Southwestern Christian University, St. Gregory's University and Bacone College. 

The Evangels are under the direction of first-year head Josh Gamblin and are set to open the 2015-16 season at home next Tuesday night (Oct. 27) against Haskell Indian Nations University.  

Tip-off for the season opener is set for 7 p.m. inside the Gaulke Activity Center.