MARIETTA, Ga. ---- The Life University men's basketball team nearly pulled off the upset over No. 6 Shawnee State Saturday afternoon, falling in the final moments 81-77.  
 
NOTES
• Life U fell to 7-7 (3-7) on the year, while Shawnee State improved to 19-2 (14-1).
 
STANDOUT PERFORMERS 
• Jordan Hernandez finished 50% from behind the arc and totaled 27 points with three rebounds and five steals.
• Isaiah Hart totaled 26 points and was 9-for-11 from the free-throw line.
• Life University made a season-high 17 three-pointers in the game.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
• Both teams battled in the earlier moments of the game as a pair of free-throws from Hart brought the game to within one, 9-8 with the Bears ahead.
• Shawnee State connected offensively with a 13-1 run to lead by 13, 22-9, at the 11-minute mark. A three from Hart at the five-minute mark cut the lead to single digits, 31-22, and a pair of free-throws moments later cut the lead to six with 3:34 on the clock. Shawnee State would finish the half on top after a three to lead 46-31 at the break.
• Shawnee State scored first out of the break; however, Life U found its rhythm offensively for a 16-2 run as Hernandez caught fire from beyond the arc. With 15:32 on the clock, Life U cut the lead to three, 50-47. A 9-0 run that included a pair of deep shots from Hernandez tied the game at 56 with 11:24 on the clock. The two teams jockeyed for the lead, but a three from Cook at the 8:50 mark gave Life U the lead, 62-61. Life U put its foot on the gas pedal with back-to-back threes from Hart to lead 70-65 with 5:46 left in the game.
• A late 6-0 Shawnee State run gave the Bears a two-point advantage at the 3:22 mark, but a jumper from Moore in the paint tied the game at 74. A half-court three from Hernandez cut the Shawnee State advantage to two, 79-77, but a pair of late free-throws would end the stellar second half for the Running Eagles as the Bears earned the 81-77 victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Life U finished 23-for-74 from the field, 31.1%, while Shawnee State shot 31-for-55, 56.4%.
• Life U shot 17-for-39, 43.6%, from beyond the arc and 14-for-17, 82.4%, from the free-throw line. Shawnee State finished 8-for-22, 36.4%, from distance and 11-for-16, 68.8%, from the free-throw line.
• Life U led Shawnee State in points off turnovers 21-19 as Shawnee State led Life U in points in the paint 44-8.
 
UP NEXT 
• The men's basketball team will return to action on Monday, February 1, as they continue Mid-South Conference play and host Martin Methodist College in the Eagles' Nest at 6 PM.