MONTGOMERY, Ala. ---- The Life University women's basketball team split a pair of games in the Faulkner Classic hosted by Faulkner University over the weekend. The Running Eagles defeated Thomas 66-64 in the opener, but fell to Louisiana Christian College 72-63.

In the opener, Life U controlled the game for a majority of play, leading 50-37 heading into the final 10 minutes. The Night Hawks came up just short of the comeback as a free-throw from Collins with 34 seconds left ended up providing the leverage for the win. 

Life U outscored Thomas 14-8 in the first quarter, however the Night Hawks led 16-13 in the second. Life U took the advantage in the third 23-13 as Thomas finished the fourth quarter ahead 27-16. Thomas finished the game 28-for-58 (48.3%) from the field, 6-for-17 (35.3%) from behind the arc and 2-for-6 (33.3%) from the free-throw line. They totaled 27 rebounds with 11 assists and seven steals, but had 19 turnovers. The Night Hawks added 36 points in the paint with 15 points off turnovers and 17 bench points. 

Life U finished 26-for-66 (39.4%) from the field 3-for-24 (12.5%) from beyond the arc and 11-for-19 (57.9%) from the free-throw line. The Running Eagles totaled 46 rebounds with 10 assists and six steals. They finished with 40 points in the paint and 24 bench points. 

Individually, Rachel Wilson led the way on a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds as both Morgan Collins and Amara Edeh finished with 10 points. Tanit Calsapeu added nine with three steals, three assists and five rebounds. 

In the final game of the tournament, Life U matched up with the Wildcats from Louisiana Christian. The Wildcats were able to open up the game in the third quarter after being tied at 37 at the half. A 21-8 run in the third put Louisiana Christian ahead 58-45. The Running Eagles were able to close the gap some in the fourth quarter, outscoring Louisiana Christian 18-14, but the 17 made free-throws from the Wildcats throughout the game ended up being the difference maker.

Louisiana Christian finished 24-for-64 (37.5%) from the field, 7-for-22 (31.8%) from beyond the arc and 17-for-25 from the free-throw line. They totaled 41 rebounds with 11 steals and 13 assists. The Wildcats added 24 points in the paint, 16 points off turnovers and 15 bench points.

Life U totaled 40 rebounds with 14 assists and five steals. They finished 25-for-65 (38.5%) from the floor, 8-for-26 (30.8%) from behind the arc and 5-for-9 (55.6%) from the free-throw line. They added 30 points in the paint, 15 second chance points and 23 bench points. 

Individually, Edeh led the team with 17 points and 12 rebounds with a block as Lenise Santiago finished with 15 and two assists and a steal. Cazia Nelson also finished in double figures with 10.

The women's basketball team will return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 10, when they travel to the College of Coastal Georgia for a 5:30 PM tip-off.