PORTSMOUTH, Ohio ---- The Life University men's basketball team held on to defeat Shawnee State University 78-74 on the road Saturday night in overtime to improve to 2-2-1 in Mid-South Conference play.  
 
NOTES
• Life U improved to 12-7 (2-1) on the year, while Shawnee fell to 10-6 (2-1).
 
STANDOUT PERFORMERS 
• Demetrius Houston led the way for the Running Eagles with a career-high 22 points on six rebounds, two steals and an assist. He was 9-for-15 from the floor and 2-for-3 from behind the arc.
• Connor Gamble also tallied 18 with an assist as he finished 7-for-12 from the floor and 4-for-8 from three. 
• Mike White was the final Running Eagle to finish in double figures with 11 points. He added seven boards, two assists and a steal. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
• Life U led 9-5 early in the game after a three from Gamble, however a 7-0 Shawnee State run gave the Bears a three-point lead, 12-9, with 13:26 on the clock.
• Neither team held much of a lead in the first quarter as there were ten lead changes, however a jumper from White just inside a minute remaining in the half put the Running Eagles ahead by four, 36-32 at the break. 
• Five minutes into the second half, the game remained to be a back-and-forth affair, however a jumper from Houston gave Life U a four-point lead, 46-42.
• Life U maintained its lead as Houston again scored with five minutes on the clock as the Running Eagles led 63-60. A quick 7-0 Shawnee State run put the Bears ahead by four, 67-63, with 3:39 on the clock. 
• Back-to-back baskets from Gamble gave the Running Eagles a one-point lead 68-67 a minute later. Neither team were able to capitalize in the final moments of the game as regulation ended with the score tied at 68.
• Consecutive threes from Dorsett and Gamble put the Running Eagles ahead 74-70, as Gamble scored a layup to extend the lead to six, 76-70, with 1:55 remaining in the game.
• Shawnee State brought the game to within two, 76-74, and had the ball with 14 seconds remaining in the game. However, a costly turnover from the Bears gave the Running Eagles the ball as Dorsett sealed the 77-74 victory at the free-throw line.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Life U finished 28-for-71 from the field, 39.4%, while Shawnee State shot 29-for-64, 45.3%. The Running Eagles finished 13-for-32, 40.6% from beyond the arc, as the Bears went 7-for-31, 22.6%.
• Life U held the advantage in turnover margin over Shawnee State 26-14 as the Running Eagles scored 23 points off the turnovers.
• Life U shot 9-for-17, 52.9%, from the free-throw line as Shawnee State finished 9-for-11, 81.8%. 
 
UP NEXT 
• The men's basketball team will return to action on Thursday, January 10, as they host No. 7 nationally ranked Campbellsville University in the neutral site contest at Reinhardt University. The MSC matchup will begin at 8 PM.