MARIETTA, Ga. – Life University (3-2) knocked off Carver College in their home opener, as a part of the annual Running Eagle Classic, on Friday.

"It was good to get a win in our first home game," Head Coach Keith Adkins said. "We went through a little adversity tonight. It will be interesting to see if we learn some valuable lessons from this game. Our guys have got to realize that this is about so much more than wins and losses. The process will ultimately decide how successful we will or will not be."

Senior Ivan Benkovic and sophomore Connor Gamble paced the squad with 22 points apiece. Benkovic's 22 points was a new career record and he also added four rebounds, two assists and a steal. Gamble added three steals, and an assist. Junior Malik Pugh contributed 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
 
Life U came roaring out of the gate in a game in which they never trailed. Gamble drained three three-pointers in just over the first three minutes, as part of an opening 11-0 run. The Running Eagles continued to roll and pushed the lead to 20 points at 28-8 with nine minutes left in the half. The Cougars were able to battle back and trim the lead to five at 31-26 with 1:18 left. However, Life U took a 34-26 lead into the half.
 
The Running Eagles quickly push the lead back to double digits to start the second half, as Benkovic knocked down a three-pointer in the first two minutes. The home team continued to roll through most of the second half, and ran their lead out to its highest at 62-36. Although, Carver managed to mount another comeback, pulling within nine points at 79-69, they were unable to completely pull it off. Life U took the 80-69 victory.
 
The Running Eagles are back in action again tomorrow, Nov. 18 as they face off against Talladega in the final game of the Running Eagle Classic.