MARIETTA, Ga. ---- Despite 48 second half points and a career-high 28 from Nathan Presnell, the Life University men's basketball team fell to (RV) Pikeville 83-71 Thursday night. 

The Running Eagles stumbled early with offensive production, as the team finished 8-for-29 from the floor, 27.59%, and scored 23 points. The Bears finished the first half 13-for-28, 46.43%, from the floor, 5-for-12, 41.67%, from three and 8-for-10, 80%, from the free-throw line to lead 39-23 at the break. 

Leading by as many as 26, 61-35, in the second half, the Bears looked to be in control to stay undefeated on the year with 12:01 left in the game. With 5:33 remaining in the game, Pikeville led 72-56. However, the Running Eagles used an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 10, 74-64, after a jumper from Presnell in the paint with 3:56 remaining in the game. Life U scored seven points down the stretch, however Pikeville answered with nine of their own to earn the 83-71 win. 

Pikeville finished 28-for-56 (50%) from the floor and 6-for-20 (30%) from beyond the arc. The Bears were 21-for-26 (80.8%) from the free-throw line and totaled 42 points in the paint with 41 rebounds. Pikeville added 32 bench points and 17 assists with eight steals.

Life U finished 21-for-63 (33.3%) from the floor and 5-for-30 (16.7%) from behind the arc. The Running Eagles tallied a 24-for-32 (75%) finish from the free-throw line and added 24 points in the paint with 22 points off turnovers. Life U added 34 rebounds with 12 assists and nine steals.

Presnell led all scorers with 28 points and nine rebounds with three assists and a steal. Cam Horton also finished in double figures with 12 points, a block and a steal. 

The men's basketball team will return to action on Saturday, December 4, when they host the University of the Cumberlands inside the Eagles' Nest at 4 PM.