COCHRAN, Ga. — The Life University men's basketball team won a closely contested conference contest over Middle Georgia State 76-72 Tuesday night.

The Running Eagles (7-1, 2-1 SSAC) were led by Dara Olanade who scored 26 points to record a new season and career-high. The sophomore hit nine of his final ten shots while also grabbing 13 rebounds in the impressive win.

In the first half, neither team was unable to pull away as the two teams each recorded five lead changes in the opening 20 minutes. Both teams rallied back and forth with the contest's biggest lead of the half (6) being earned by the Running Eagles with just under five minutes to go in the period. A quick 7-0 run by the Knights swung the advantage to Middle Georgia at the four-minute mark, but a Running Eagles run boosted Life U. once more to carry a slim 38-36 advantage into halftime.

Second-half action mirrored the first, with Life University again outscoring the Knights 38-36, but, in contrast to the first half, there was only one lead change each way.

After carrying an advantage through the beginning of the second half, the Running Eagles lost their one-point advantage with just under 14 minutes to play. Following the lead change,  the Knights were able to hold the lead but were unable to grow it to anything above a three-point advantage. Following Life U. scored tying baskets scored at 55 and 57, the Running Eagles eventually retook the lead at the six-minute mark when a Will Freeman three-pointer gave Life U. the crucial two-point 62-60 lead.

After that, the Running Eagles pushed their lead up six as Srdjan Popovich hit consecutive three-pointers, 70-64, but the team's biggest lead of the night was provided by a Dara Olanade jumper to go ahead 72-64 with just over three minutes to play.

After the lead change at the six-minute mark, the Knights were unable to regain or tie the contest over the closing minutes as the Running Eagles earned their second conference win of the season. Olonade scored an efficient 26 as a starter in the win, while non-starteres  Will Freeman, Srdjan Popovich, and Devin Story all entered the game from the bench to combine and score 29 crucial points.

Up next, the men's basketball team will host Dalton State this upcoming Thursday (Dec. 1) in the Eagles' Nest. Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm.