Waxahachie, Texas – For the second straight game, the No. 21-ranked Mid-America Christian University Evangels were dealt a tough setback late, this time to the No. 20-ranked Southwestern Assemblies of God University Lions. The Lions prevailed 60-58 tonight (Jan. 19) in a classic battle of NAIA Top 25 squads in Sooner Athletic Conference action in Waxahachie, Texas.

This game came right down to the wire, as Devonse Reed made three free throws and then hit a jumper to erase a four-point SAGU lead and put the Evangels ahead 58-57 with 26 seconds left.

But Isaak Rowe drew a foul on the other end and hit two free throws to give the Lions a one-point lead with 12 seconds remaining.

After the Evangels failed to score and were forced to foul with .8 seconds left, Josh Williams split a pair of free throws to ice the win.

The Evangels had fought back valiantly from a 19-point hole in the first half and then a 33-21 deficit at the break.

MACU charged out of the locker room and began the second half on a 12-2 spurt to come within two points at the 15:35 mark.

Down 41-36, Chris Bates caught fire and scored seven points, including a three-pointer that tied the score before a slam by Malcolm Mann capped a 9-2 run and gave the Evangels their first lead since it was 2-0.

Two free throws by Mann and a trey from Reed eventually gave the Evangels a four-point lead of 52-48, but the Lions responded as Williams scored six points to spark a 9-0 run to give SAGU a five-point lead with 3:09 remaining.

Reed led all scorers with 17 points for the Evangels (12-7, 3-4 SAC), with Mann adding 13 points.

Tyler Chaisson scored eight with a team-high eight rebounds and Robert Romero had a team-best four assists.

Keyunta Watkins led the Lions (15-4, 5-2 SAC) with 16 points and Rowe chipped in with 12. Williams scored nine points with a game-high 11 boards.

The Evangels will look to get back on track Saturday evening (Jan. 21) when they play at Bacone College at 5 pm in Muskogee, Okla.