MARIETTA, Ga. ---- The Life University women's basketball team returned to Mid-South Conference action Monday night at home, however a 27 point second quarter from the University of Tennessee Southern gave the Firehawks the 74-66 win.
Life U (5-10, 1-6) started out the game back-and-forth and held a 15-13 advantage after the end of the first quarter. The Running Eagles kept this advantage well into the second quarter ahead by seven, 33-26 with 3:17 remaining in the first half. UT Southern (9-3, 4-2) finished the half on a 14-1 run to lead 40-34 at the break and would not trail again.
Life U kept things close in the second half coming within striking distance multiple times, however UT Southern outscored the Running Eagles 15-14 in the third quarter and 19-18 in the final ten minutes.
The Firehawks finished with 24 points in the paint with 22 points off turnovers. They finished 25-64 (39.1%) from the floor and just 4-18 (22.2%) from beyond the arc. UT Southern pulled away at the free-throw line where the team was 20-26 (76.9%). The Firehawks added 38 rebounds with 13 assists, nine steals and only 10 turnovers.
The Running Eagles led the Firehawks in nearly all statistical categories. They finished 26-59 (44.1%) from the floor and 7-24 (29.2%) from beyond the arc. Life U started the game 6-14 from three, however finished the game 1-11 in the second half. The Running Eagles also had struggles at the free-throw line shooting just 7-15 (46.7%). Life U led with 32 points in the paint and 42 rebounds with five blocks. The team added 11 assists with seven steals and 18 turnovers.
Offensively, the Running Eagles were led by
Tanit Calsapeu who was 7-13 from the floor and tallied 18 points with a pair of steals.
Rachel Wilson earned the double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while tallying a career-high five blocks.
Lenise Santiago ended in double figures with 12 points and an assist as
Olivia Delk totaled 11 points with eight rebounds and three assists.
The women's basketball team will return to action on Thursday, January 6, when they continue MSC play and host Lindsey Wilson College in the Eagles' Nest at 6 PM.
