Waxahachie, Texas – The Southwestern Assemblies of God University Lions took control early and went on to an 86-76 win over the No. 14-ranked Mid-America Christian University Evangels today (Feb. 27) in the regular season finale in Waxahachie, Texas.
Even with the setback, the Evangels have secured the second spot in the Sooner Athletic Conference. The Evangels and Oklahoma City University tied for second in the SAC with 12-6 league records, but MACU wins the tiebreaker due to a season sweep of OCU.
SAGU led wire-to-wire and built an early 20-9 lead on seven straight points from Josh Swearingin.
Devonse Reed helped the Evangels battle back within one with six straight points of an 8-0 run that cut the lead to 33-32 at the 2:32 mark of the first half.
The Lions responded with the last five points of the half to lead 38-32 at the break and extended the edge to 12 during the first three minutes of the second half.
After SAGU later stretched the lead to a game-high 17 points with 13:04 remaining, the Evangels made a final push as a three by Bryon Miller capped a 14-5 spurt that cut the lead to 71-66 at the 4:13 mark.
But a 12-4 spurt by the Lions over the next three minutes put it away.
Reed led the Evangels (22-8, 12-6 SAC) with 19 points, while Malcom Mann equaled his career-high with 18 points along with eight rebounds. Chris Runnels also scored 18 with eight boards. Runnels' point total included hitting a career-high tying 10-of-16 from the charity stripe. Ex'Zavia Seaton led MACU with three assists.
Keyunta Watkins led all scorers with 32 points and hit seven-of-14 from beyond the arc for the Lions (19-11, 10-8 SAC). Rishaad Alexander recorded a double-double of 21 points and 10 assists and Isaak Rowe had a game-high 13 rebounds. Swearingin chipped in with 10 points.
The Evangels held a 51-44 edge in rebounding, but was limited to only 31.9 percent (23-of-72) overall from the field and 12.5 percent (3-of-24) from three-point distance.
MACU will next compete in the SAC Postseason Tournament next week beginning on Thursday (Mar. 4). Opponent and game time is scheduled to be released tomorrow (Feb. 28).
