MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Life University women's basketball team used a massive first quarter run to jump ahead early and defeat Warner, 59-48, in Friday afternoon's SSAC-SUN Challenge opener.

Led by nine points in the opening frame from sophomore guard Tanit Calsapeu, the Running Eagles outscored the Royals, 15-6, in the opening period to take control of the contest. To begin the game, Life U. jumped ahead and held Warner to 2-of-8 en route to a 15-1 opening lead.

Calsapeu led all Running Eagles with 23 points total, shooting 4-8 from long range. She was joined in double figures by Maikya Simmons, who scored 12 points, grabbed three rebounds, and notched four steals. Senior Fapou Semebene filled the stat sheet as well, filling up the box score with 12 points, six rebounds, four blocks, and three assists.

In the second quarter, Warner used a 7-2 run to cut into the Life U. lead, but the Running Eagles took advantage of 12 Royal turnovers in the first half to build a halftime lead.

Coming out of halftime, the Running Eagles continued their momentum, outscoring the Royals 16-11 in the third quarter to increase their lead to 43-33 heading to the final 10 minutes.

From there, Life U. used stellar shooting to push ahead to a 17-point lead in the fourth.  After soaring ahead in the final period, Warner had one final push towards the end narrowing the gap to nine by the final horn.

Overall, the Running Eagles converted 50% from behind the arc and never trailed in the contest on the way to the 59-48 win.

Up next, the Running Eagles are back in action again tomorrow as they conclude the SSAC-SUN Challenge, taking on the College of Coastal Georgia at 6:45 pm.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:

- Tanit Calsapeu led the team with 23 points

- Semebene and Simmons combined for 24 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and four steals.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

- The Running Eagles forced 22 turnovers, scoring 19 points.