MARIETTA, Ga. – Life University (19-10, 7-6 MSC) came up just short in a close game and No. 3 Pikeville (26-3, 10-3 MSC) with a 99-93 decision on Thursday.
 
"I thought we really battled tonight," Head Coach Keith Adkins said. "We just couldn't string together any stops on the defensive end. Give Pikeville credit, they are really difficult to defend. Any other night, you would have to think that 93 points is good enough for a win, but not when you can't mount any sort of resistance defensively. Now, we have to let this go and get ready for Shawnee State. I wouldn't call it a must win game, but it is a game that could go a long way towards our postseason possibilities."
 
Five Running Eagles finished in double figures on the night. Senior Undra Mitchem paced the squad with a new season-high of 28 points as well as seven rebounds, two assists and a block. Senior Michael Miller put up 21 points with two assists and two steals. Senior Zach Landis logged 12 points with nine rebounds, four assists and a steal. Senior Jay Johnson posted 11 points, two rebounds, an assist and a block. Junior Deven Dorsett contributed 10 points, five rebounds and a steal.
 
This was a back and forth game for its entirety. In the first half alone, there were eight ties and five lead changes. UPike held the advantage early as they held a 13-8 lead five minutes in. They held the lead for a large portion of the half, but Life U was able to take its first substantial lead of the game late in the half as they went up 36-32 with just over four minutes left in the half. The Bears answer and retake the lead 42-41 heading into the break.
 
The second half was just like the first half, in that it was extremely tight with seven ties and six lead changes. UPike once again manage to hold the lead for the majority of the remainder of the game. They took their first double digit lead of the game and their largest margin at 87-75 with four and a half minutes left. The Bears held off the Running Eagles and captured the Mid-South Conference Regular Season Championship with a 99-93 victory.
 
Life U will close out the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 24 as the welcome Shawnee State to the Eagles' Nest for Senior Day.