DAYTON, Tenn. – Life University (7-5) were able to hold off Bryan College (9-5) to win 77-72 on Tuesday.
"This was a great win against a really good Bryan College team," Head Coach
Anthony Maxwell said. "We really needed this win going into the break. We came out with great energy and emotion. We moved the ball well and played as a team in what had to be our best half of the season. We had a good balance scoring and really rebounded the ball strong. Anytime we have over 20 assists, we are hard to beat."
Five Running Eagles posted double-digit points in the win. Senior
Kennesha Nichols paced the squad with a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds, as well as seven assists, a block and a steal. Sophomore
Tierra Lindsey also logged a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds with two assists. Sophomore
Kayla Kelly added 12 points and four rebounds. Sophomore
Lucy Stone posted 11 points, seven assists, three rebounds and three steals. Sophomore
Damiya Montgomery contributed 10 points, three rebounds, two steals and an assist.
The opening quarter was a back and forth affair with four lead changes and three ties. Neither team was able to gain more than a two possession advantage during the period. Life U held a 6-5 lead early in the period, but the Lions took the lead and held it for the majority of the quarter. The Running Eagles regained the lead and closed out the quarter with a 22-21 advantage.
Life U carried the momentum from the end of the first quarter into the second and never trailed again in the half. They rolled out to their largest lead of the game at 47-28 as part of a 14-2 run to end the half.
The Running Eagles didn't lose a step coming out of the intermission, but Bryan slowly began to chip into the lead and claw their way back. The Lions were able to trim the deficit to a single possession late in the quarter, but still trailed 62-56 heading into the final 10 minutes.
The fourth quarter was a tightly contested affair as Bryan refused to go down without a fight. With under six minutes remaining, they were able to tie the game and take a brief lead at 70-69. However, the Running Eagles bounced back and held off the Lions to take a 77-72 victory.
Life U will take a break for the holidays, but will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 6 as they travel to Williamsburg, Ky. to open up Mid-South Conference play against the University of the Cumberlands.
