THOMASVILLE, Ga. – No. 9 Life University (0-1) dropped the season opener 83-74 to Thomas (3-0) on Wednesday.
 
"This was a very similar game to our last scrimmage," Head Coach Keith Adkins said. "We are a team that still has yet to establish any kind of identity. We really need to go to work before next Monday, and make a complete commitment to defending and gaining an understanding of what is good for the team and not for each person as individuals."
 
Three Running Eagles posted double-digit points on the night. Junior Deven Dorsett paced the squad with 22 points as well as seven rebounds and a steal. Senior Undra Mitchem logged 17 points with nine rebounds, three steals and two assists. Senior Jay Johnson contributed 11 points, five rebounds and a block.
 
Life U stumbled a little out of the gate and never quite recovered as they never led in the game. The Night Hawks opened on a 5-2 run, but the Running Eagles battled back to tie it at 7-7. Thomas retook the lead at 9-2 and never relinquished it. They began to increase the deficit, taking a 35-24 lead with 5:12 left in the half. Life U managed to trim the to five points, but the Night Hawks took a 46-41 lead into the intermission.
 
Thomas came out of the half red hot as they sprinted out to a 62-43 lead, their largest of the game, just over five minutes into the second half. The Night Hawks continued hold a double-digit lead for a majority of the half. The Running Eagles would not go down quietly as the battle and cut the lead to 79-74, but couldn't complete the comeback and fell short 79-74.
 
Life U will back in action as they travel to Sumter, S.C. on Nov. 6 as they face off against Morris College.