MARIETTA, Ga. – Life University (7-7, 0-2 MSC) dropped their home Mid-South Conference opener 67-64 to Georgetown (7-10, 1-1 MSC) in a hard-fought game.
"I was really happy with our overall energy tonight," Head Coach
Anthony Maxwell said. "We won every phase of the game, every stat but the final score. I hope we turned the corner today and can consistently bring that kind of energy. We have nothing to hang our heads about."
Both senior
Kennesha Nichols and sophomore
Lucy Stone paced the squad with 14 points apiece. Nichols added nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal, while Stone added six assists, five rebounds and a steal. Sophomore
Tierra Lindsey contributed eight points, 10 rebounds and a steal.
Life U dominated the first half and only trailed for three minutes at the beginning of the game. They took the lead to stay for half at 6-4. The Running Eagles pushed out to a 11-4 lead and took a 19-13 lead into the second quarter.
They kept rolling and gaining momentum through the final 10 minutes of the half. Life U took their first double-digit lead at 25-15 with just over seven minutes to go in the quarter. The Tigers battled and managed to trim the lead to two points, but the Running Eagles answered back with another 9-0 run to take their largest lead of the game at 39-28. They took a 41-33 lead into the break.
If Life U had the hot hand in the first half, Georgetown successfully managed to swing the momentum their way in the second half. The third quarter was a back and forth period with five lead changes and two ties. The Tigers quickly got to work reining in the Running Eagles lead and tied the game at 41-41 and took their first lead since the opening minutes of the game moments later. For the rest of the period, both teams battled back and forth, trading leads. When the dust finally settled, GC held a 52-50 lead as the final 10 minutes began.
The fourth quarter continued the chaotic nature of the previous quarter. The Tigers built their largest of the game at 56-50 to start the period. However, Life U quickly trimmed that to a single position. GC held a single possession lead of the rest of the game, but the Running Eagles managed to regain the lead at 63-62. Unfortunately, it was fouls that doomed Life U as GC made all four of their final free throws to take a 67-63 lead.
The Running Eagles are back in action on Saturday as they welcome Campbellsville to the Eagles' Nest.
