THOMASVILLE, Ga. – Life University (6-5) fell to Thomas (5-4) 74-60 on Saturday afternoon.
"We just didn't have the energy today," Head Coach
Anthony Maxwell said. "We were sluggish from the start of warmups, played with hesitation and were not mentally there. Even though we played one of our worst games of the year, if we make half of the layups and free throws we missed we win."
The Running Eagles were paced by both sophomores
Lucy Stone and
Tierra Lindsey. Stone finished with a rebound and a steal additionally, while Lindsey also finished with nine rebounds, two steals and a block. Senior
Kennesha Nichols contributed seven points with nine rebounds, three blocks and two assists.
Life U got behind early as Thomas opened on a 5-2 run. However, they managed to bounce back momentarily to take their first lead of the game at 6-5 midway through the first quarter. The Night Hawks retook the lead to stay on the next possession and closed out the period with a 11-10 lead.
The early portion of the second quarter continued to be a close affair with three lead changes and one lead change. The Running Eagles took the lead 12-11 to start the period, but immediately lost it on a pair of made free throws. Thomas claimed the lead to stay for the remainder of the half at 18-16. They then proceed to go on a 19-7 run to close out the first half with a 37-23 lead.
The Night Hawks began to pull way in the third quarter, with Life U never coming within double-digits of the lead. Their largest lead of the period came early at 40-23. Thomas eventually took a 52-39 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Running Eagles began to find a little success in the final period and cut the deficit to 57-52 midway through the fourth quarter. However, that would be as close as they got as the Night Hawks began to slowly rebuild the lead and eventually took the win 74-60.
"We have a tough, physical Bryan team on Tuesday," Maxwell said. "We need to go into the Christmas break on a good note."
Life U will be back in action on Tuesday, Dec. 19 as they travel to Dayton, Tenn. to face off against Bryan College.
