MARIETTA, Ga. – Life University (11-18, 1-12 MSC) fell 73-67 to Pikeville (14-15, 5-8 MSC) on Thursday.
 
"This loss really hurt; I really expected to get this one," Head Coach Anthony Maxwell said. "Our energy was good and we played well overall, but we came up short on some key opportunities on offense and defense. I can't really see the improvement from the beginning of the season, and I'm anxious to see how we approach this next game, which is a pride game."
 
Two Running Eagles finished in double figures on the night. Senior Kennesha Nichols paced the squad with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds as well as an assist. Redshirt freshman Shikiya Brown put up 12 points with two assists and a rebound. Sophomore Lucy Stone also contributed nine points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists.
 
Life U owned the game for two and half quarters and opened on a 8-2 run. The Running Eagles finished the first quarter with a 22-12 lead. They continued to roll in the second quarter, and pushed their lead to the largest of the game at 28-15. Life U took a 32-26 lead into the half.
 
UPike came alive after the break, and immediately went to work cutting into the Running Eagle lead. They managed to tie it up at 38-38 and eventually took their first lead at 43-42, with just over three minutes remaining in the quarter. LU regained the advantage and took a 50-49 margin into the final 10 minutes of the game. The Bears retook the lead early in the final quarter at 53-52 and never relinquished it. They eventually took the 73-67 lead.
 
The Running Eagles will close out the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 24 as they play host to No. 1 Shawnee State.