PORTSMOUTH, Ohio --- Morgan Collins and Olivia Delk led a valiant effort for the Life University women's basketball team today with 15 points each, but the Running Eagles were not able to keep up with the home Shawnee State Bears, losing 66-55 in Mid-South Conference action.

Life U (3-5, 0-2 MSC) pulled to within a single point of Shawnee State (2-2, 1-1 MSC) with just over four minutes to go in the competition, but faded late in the loss. The Running Eagles held within a single score at the end of the first period, after a Morgan Collins layup put the score at 14-12. Tanit Calsapeu evened the score at 14 early in the second quarter, but after a back-and-forth frame, Shawnee State went into the break with a 30-24 lead. 

After halftime, the Bears extended its lead to 15 points, before Life U regained some momentum to cut into the deficit. Over a four minute period, Life U outscored Shawnee State 13-2, placing the score at 43-39 after an Amara Edeh layup with 1:15 to go in the third. The streak extended into the final frame of play, Life U taking a 46-45 lead following a Lenise Santiago bucket in the paint assisted by Collins with 8:29 to play. Shawnee State retook the lead, but a Delk three ball saw the teams one point apart, 54-53, with 4:16 to play. From that point, the Bears made distance, pulling away for a 66-55 win.

The Running Eagles were led by efficient showings by Delk and Collins both scoring 15. Delk's 15 came on 4-for-6 shooting and six rebounds, while Collins was 7-for-12 with three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. The only other player to break into double-digits was Santiago with 12 points, five boards, and three assists.

Life U shot at a higher clip than Shawnee State at 22-for-57 (38.6%) compared to 26-for-72 (36.1%), but took 15 less shots over the course of the game. The teams were close in rebounds and points in the paint, Shawnee leading 32-31 and 22-20, respectively, but found themselves trailing in respect to taking advantage of turnovers, the Bears leading points off turnovers 20-9.

The women's basketball team play an exhibition match at Lipscomb Univ. November 28th before returning home for a game Thursday, December 2nd at 6 PM against Pikeville.