MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University women's basketball team completed its perfect SSAC/SUN Challenge appearance Saturday night, defeating the Mariners from the College of Coastal Georgia 80-56.
Four of Life University's starting five reached double digits with Tanit Calsapeu leading the charge with 18 points. Senior transfer Fapou Semebene tallied a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds as the Running Eagles completed the 2-0 weekend trip to Montgomery, Alabama.
The Running Eagles were fueled by a dominant first quarter, scoring a season-high 29 points in the opening frame. The team shot 60% to begin the game, with a 13-2 run in the first capped by two Maikya Simmons free throws at the end of the quarter to go ahead by 20, 29-9.
After Life U. jumped ahead with a near-perfect first quarter, Coastal Georgia stabilized and outscored the Running Eagles 16-9 in the second. Headed to halftime, Life University led 45-25.
Second half action saw Life University increase its lead, growing the margin in both the third and fourth quarters. A 3-ptr. from Tanit Calsapeu got the Running Eagle started after intermission, as it was a combination of Semebene and Calsapeu combining to begin the quarter with a 9-3 run. Coastal tallied a 6-0 run moments later to narrow the game slightly, but at the end of the third Life U. held a strong 17 point cushion, 60-43.
The Running Eagles cruised through the fourth to conclude the SSAC/SUN Challenge with a 24 point win over the Mariners from Coastal Georgia.
Life University made the most of Coastal Georgia's lapses, converting 26 points off CCG turnovers and scoring 17 points after offensive boards. The Running Eagle starters were dominant, tallying 63 points and grabbing 12 steals. The Running Eagles shot over 40% from behind the arc while also knocking down 83% from the charity stripe.
The overall team win ended with a Tajma Krslak layup as the Running Eagles solidified the 2-0 trip to Alabama.
Up next, the women's basketball team will face Thomas University in the TU Gymnasium next Saturday, November 12th at 2 PM.
