COCHRAN, Ga. – After two close loses to open the season, Life University (1-2) got in the win column with a dominant 89-69 victory over Middle Georgia State (1-1) on Wednesday.
 
"This was a great win tonight," Head Coach Anthony Maxwell said. "We came out a little lethargic in the first half and allowed them to hang around. I was really pleased with our great second half effort. We got stops, and really moved the ball well on offense. 21 assists is great on any night. It was a complete team effort and balanced attack. Hopefully, we can get some momentum going and run off several wins from here."
 
Four Running Eagles posted double-digit points in the win. Sophomore Lucy Stone paced the squad with 14 points, as well as five assists, two rebounds and a steal. Senior Kennesha Nichols earned her second double-double of the year with 13 points and 13 rebounds to go along with three assists and a block. Sophomore Kayla Kelly logged 12 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals. Sophomore Tierra Lindsey contributed 11 points with seven rebounds, an assist and a steal.
 
"Lucy Stone had a great floor game, and Kayla Kelly had a tremendous all-around game and showed really good intensity throughout," said Maxwell. "Kennesha Nichols also played really well with her second double-double of the young season."
 
Life U was a little slow out of the gate, with MGA holding the lead for the majority of an extremely close opening quarter that featured five ties and two lead changes. The Knights held a 7-6 advantage through what was a low scoring first five minutes. Things began to pick up for both teams, but MGA closed out the quarter on a 6-0 run and took a 19-13 lead into the second period.
 
The Running Eagles went to work in the second quarter and tied the game at 19-19 with 7:19 left in the half. They took the lead to stay at 24-23 and never looked back. Life U closed out the half with a 36-28 lead.
 
Life U came out the half shooting lights out and ran their lead up to highest of the third quarter at 43-28 just over a minute and a half into the period. The Knights didn't lay down, however, and were able to trim the lead to just 51-49 with 2:42 left in the quarter. That would be as close as they got though, because the Running Eagles responded with a 12-1 run to take a 63-52 lead into the final quarter.
 
The fourth quarter was all Life U. They pushed the lead out to 73-52 with 6:40 left, and with 1:28 remaining in the game, moved the deficit to its largest at 87-66. They eventually claimed the 89-69 victory.
 
Life U is back in action on Friday as they travel to Cleveland, Ga. to face off against Truett-McConnell.