MARIETTA, Ga. ---- The Life University women's basketball team was unable to overcome a slow start Thursday night, as they fell to Freed-Hardeman at home 83-56.
 
NOTES
• Life U falls to 2-9 (0-8) on the year following the heartbreaking loss, while Freed-Hardeman improves to 11-8 (6-7).
 
STANDOUT PERFORMERS 
• Sydni Tears led the Running Eagles with 13 points and four rebounds with a steal.
• Amara Edeh was the only other Running Eagle to finish in double figures with 11 points and seven rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED 
• Life U struggled to connect offensively in the first quarter as they were outscored 16-8.
• Freed-Hardeman led by double digits most of the second quarter, however a three from Edwards with 4:03 on the clock cut the lead to eight, 25-17. A pair of free-throws from Dorsey cut the lead to six, 30 seconds later. Hatfield connected from deep with two seconds on the clock as Life U went into the half trailing by seven, 34-27.
• Tears came out scoring in the second half as the Running Eagles trailed by two possessions, 34-29. Another three from Hatfield at the 3:45 mark cut the lead to six, 47-41. Freed-Hardeman went on a run to separate the game as the Lions ended the third quarter on a 13-0 run to lead 60-41.
• Freed-Hardeman controlled the pace of the fourth quarter and led by as many as 29 twice in the final ten minutes to earn the 83-56 win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Life U finished 17-for-55 from the field, 30.9%, while Freed-Hardeman shot 29-for-65, 44.6%.
• Life U shot 7-for-14, 50%, from beyond the arc and 15-for-25, 60%, from the free-throw line. The Lions finished 9-for-25, 36%, from distance and 16-for-18, 88.9%, from the free-throw line.
• Freed-Hardeman led Life U in rebounds 47-33 as both teams seemed to capitalize off of the 39 turnovers in the match. The Lions tallied 29 as the Running Eagles totaled 17.
 
UP NEXT 
• The women's basketball team will return to action on Saturday, February 6, as they host Bethel University and continue Mid-South Conference play at 1:30 PM.