MARIETTA, Ga. — Despite carrying a two-point lead into halftime, the Life University men's basketball dropped its first game of the season, falling to (RV) Loyola 91-85 Saturday afternoon. 

The Running Eagles (5-1, 1-1 SSAC) were far more efficient in terms of offensive production, but the team was unable to finish the second half strong, getting outscored by eight points in the final 20 minutes of play.

Leading by as many as 15, 81-66, in the second half, the Wolfpack (5-0, 2-0 SSAC) looked to be in control to stay undefeated on the year with 5:40 left in the game. Then, the Running Eagles used a 7-0 run to cut the lead to seven, 81-74, after a jumper and an and-1 layup from Mohamed Elgohary with 3:23 remaining in the game. Life U then brought the deficit to a slim three-point margin with 1:47 left, before Loyola answered with a pair of free throws, 85-80. A jumper from Tylan Green again cut the lead to three, but a monstrous Wolfpack three-pointer extended and confirmed the Running Eagles' first loss of the season, 91-85. 

Loyola finished 32-for-70 (45.7%) from the floor and 7-for-19 (36.8%) from beyond the arc. The Wolfpack shot 20-for-30 (66.7%) from the free-throw line and totaled 36 points in the paint with 33 rebounds. The Wolfpack reserves added 30 bench points and ten assists with nine steals.

Life U finished 23-for-49 (46.9%) from the floor and 9-for-21 (42.9%) from behind the arc. The Running Eagles tallied a 30-for-39 (76.9%) finish from the free-throw line and added 22 points in the paint. Life U added 35 rebounds with 12 assists to go along with four steals.

Up next, the Running Eagles travel to McKenzie, Tennessee to face Bethel University next Saturday.