NAIA
[Men's Basketball] DROVER MADNESS: #11 USAO is the 2021 SAC Tournament Champion
CHICKASHA, Okla. – Tuesday evening, the No. 11 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (17-2, 9-2 SAC) was able to capture the SAC Tournament Championship on their home court, with a dominant 69-50 win over Mid-America Christian University (11-4, 5-2 SAC). The Drovers have now won eight games in a row, and they have locked up an automatic bid into the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship. USAO led for majority of the contest, cruising to their first SAC Tournament Championship since 2017.The Evangels held a narrow lead early on, but the Drovers took the lead for good with over 13 minutes remaining in the first half. USAO was terrific on the defensive end, holding MACU to a 16-for-61 (.262) clip from the field, and just 4-for-27 (.148) from beyond the arc.The Drovers held a 40-25 lead at halftime, and USAO showed few signs of slowing down in the second half. The home team led by as many as 23 points in the second half, cruising to the championship victory.The Drovers won the rebounding battle 49-42, and they forced the Evangels into committing 15 turnovers. Cameron Hines (SR/Ft. Cobb, OK) earned SAC Tournament MVP honors as he led the Drovers to victory with 16 points, nine rebounds, and a pair of assists.Stephon Hall (JR/Oklahoma City, OK) earned an All-Tournament selection, following his championship performance which included 10 points, four rebounds, four assists, and a pair of steals.Boubacar Diakite (JR/Mali) played a huge roll in the win, contributing 12 points and six rebounds. Tre'veon Ellis (JR/Oklahoma City, OK) continued to show-out in the post-season, dropping 11 points and grabbing seven boards. Gerard Makuntae (JR/Austell, GA) concluded with seven points, nine rebounds, three assists, and a pair of big blocks on the defensive end. Elvin Rodriguez (SR/New York, NY) and Jaden Causwell (SO/Johns Creek, GA) each scored five points. Additionally, Rodriguez collected six rebounds and two assists. Trenton Sandifer (SR/Dallas, TX) knocked down a deep three-pointer, along with six rebounds and a block.The Drovers were led to victory by Assistant Coach Josh Roach, who had to step in for the last three games, after Head Coach Chris Francis became ill. While the Drovers are ecstatic to get Coach Francis back in the very near future, Coach Roach did an incredible job leading the team to the championship.The Drovers will now await the NAIA Selection Show's decision on who they will face in the opening round of the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship. The selection show will be LIVE on Thursday, March 4 at 7:00 PM CT, on the NAIA Facebook page. Stay up to date on all USAO Athletics news by following us on our media platforms!Athletics Website: www.usaoathletics.comLive-stream: www.portal.stretchinternet.com/usao/YouTube: USAO AthleticsTwitter: @DroverAthleticsFacebook: @USAODroversInstagram: @usao_drover_athletics