MARIETTA, Ga. – No. 21 Life University (18-9, 6-5 MSC) came up short 93-85 against Cumberland (11-14, 4-7 MSC) on Thursday.
 
"Tonight was very disappointing, to say the least," Head Coach Keith Adkins said. "With all that we had to play for and after coming off of a great week, I thought we would be better. However, give Cumberland a lot of credit. They were just better tonight. Now, we have to shake this off and have a short memory. We have to let this one go and rebound on Saturday against a really good Lindsey Wilson team."
 
Four Running Eagles finished in double figures on the night. Senior Undra Mitchem paced the squad with 23 points as well as seven rebounds, four steals and an assist. Senior Jay Johnson put up 21 points with eight rebounds and a steal. Senior Zack Landis logged 15 points in addition to seven rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal. Senior Michael Miller contributed 12 points, six assists and a steal.
 
Life U started the game flat and never was quite able to overcome the slow start. Cumberland opened on a 6-0 run and held for most of the early portions of the half. The Running Eagles finally began to show signs of life midway through the half as they took their first lead at 16-14 with 11 minutes left in the period. They pushed the lead out their largest advantage of the game at 26-22. However, the Phoenix answered back, tied the score at 36-36 and finished the half on an 11-2 run to take a 47-38 lead into the break.
 
The second half was all Cumberland as Life U was never to get within two possessions of the lead. The Phoenix took their first double digit lead at 51-40, and pushed out their largest lead of the game at 61-44. Late in the game, the Running Eagles attempted to mount a comeback put would only get with six points multiple times inside the final five minutes. Cumberland managed to hang on and took a 93-85 victory.
 
Life U will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 17 as they welcome No. 9 Lindsey Wilson to the Eagles' Nest.