MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University men's basketball team concluded its 2022 slate of games Friday afternoon, besting the Bears from West Virginia Tech 88-71.
In the win, the Running Eagles (11-2, 4-2 SSAC) overwhelmed the Bears outperforming the visiting team in nearly every positive statistical category.
Mohamed Elgohary and Joshua Ward led the way scoring a combined 53 points. Ward led the team with six assists while Elgohary grabbed 12 rebounds to record another double-double. With the double-double, the junior continues to strengthen his breakout season for the Running Eagles.
In the first half, the Life University defense swarmed WVU Tech, forcing costly turnovers while also limiting the outside shooting of the Bears to jump ahead 42-28 by halftime.
At the break, Life U was shooting 50% from long range and 57% from inside the arc, crushing the Bears' momentum with timely baskets and devastating 3-ptrs. On the contrary, the Bears shot an abysmal 34% from the field a mere 14% from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes of play.
In the second half, the Christmas rust began to wear off as both teams found success shooting from the field. Life U continued to hold the edge at 57% compared to WVU Tech's 42%, but it was again Life University's disciplined both defensively and in shot taking that helped the Running Eagles outscore the Bears 46-43 in the second half. Life University's largest lead of the game came from a Srdjan Popovich three pointer with 10:45 to go in the second frame, pushing the lead to 22, 67-45.
The only lead change of the ballgame belonged to the Running Eagles, taking a 4-3 lead after initially trailing in the contest 3-0. Devin Story's lead-changing fast break dunk foreshadowed an afternoon of transition basketball that heavily favored Life U, where the Running Eagles outscored the Bears 14-4 on the break. Additionally, the Running Eagles tallied more second-chance points, bench points, and points in the paint in the win.
Up next, the Running Eagles will be back in the Eagles' Nest this upcoming Thursday. Tip-off against William Carey is set for 7:30 pm.
