SAGU claims first-ever SAC Tournament title - Mar 5, 2018
Southwestern A.G. featured three players score over 20 points and held on to win the 2018 Sooner Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament Championship with a 90-81 victory over Wayland Baptist inside Bill George Arena. The win, the Lions' first-ever SAC postseason title, assures SAGU an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championships which begin later this month in Kansas City, Mo. Cameron Hill (6'0''-PG), Josh Swearingin (6'0''-PG) and Joshua Kashila (6'3''-G) netted 67 of SAGU's 90 points in the victory. All three earned All-Tournament honors while Swearingin took home MVP honors. WBU, which dropped to 23-9, with the loss was led by Samuel Kalwanyi (6'7''-F/C-95) with 27 points. Wayland's last lead came on a basket by Kalwayni that gave the Pioneers a 60-59 edge with 10:38 to play. SAGU never gave up the lead in the last 10 minutes, ending the game converting 17-of-20 free throws (86.7 percent).
All-Tournament MVP: Joshua Swearengin (6'0''-PG) of SAGU All-Tournament Hustle Award: Ruben Lopez (5'6''-G) of Wayland Baptist Player of the Year: Branden Jenkins (6'5''-G-94) of Texas Wesleyan Co-Defensive Player of the Year: Jonathan Ellis (5'7''-PG) of Oklahoma City Co-Defensive Player of the Year: Samuel Kalwanyi (6'7''-F/C-95) of Wayland Baptist Co-Defensive Player of the Year: Shawn Scott (6'1''-G) of SW Christian Freshman of the Year: Cameron Hill (6'0''-PG) of SAGU Newcomer of the Year: Branden Jenkins (6'5''-G-94) of Texas Wesleyan Coach of the Year: Vinay Patel of Oklahoma City