TALLADEGA, Ala. — The Life University men's basketball team got back on track with a conference win over Talladega College Saturday, besting the Tornadoes 64-58 in the win.
Transfer forward Mohamed Elgohary continued to dominate for Life U., earning another double-double, his fourth of the season. No other Running Eagle reached the double-digit mark in the contest, but it was efficient free throw shooting down the stretch that ultimately led to the Life University win.
To begin the contest, Nathan Presnell tallied the first basket of the game for Life U. tying the game at two apiece with a layup off an assist from Elgohary. The first half remained close as neither team extended the lead past seven.
Headed to halftime, Tylan Green scored a final layup to take a slim one-point 24-23 lead into the break. In the second half, four lead changes kept the two teams neck and neck with each other as the second half alone produced three ties.
The Running Eagles led by as many as seven in the second half, but after going ahead 42-35 with just over 11 minutes to play, the Tornadoes used a run to tie the game up at 47 each with five minutes on the clock.
After the 47-all tie, back to back three-pointers pushed Life U. up 53-49, but it was solid free throw shooting that ultimately built the Running Eagles a cushion.
In fact, Life University's final field goal of the game was scored with over two minutes left on the game clock as Dara Olanade scored the final layup to push the Running Eagle lead to six, 57-51. After that, the Running Eagle offense only took one more field goal as the Tornadoes fouled Life U. to stop the clock and make the Running Eagles knock down important free throws.
The strategy did not go to plan for Talladega though, as the Night Hawks hit seven of their final eight attempts from the charity stripe. In addition to the solid shooting from Life U. at the line, the Tornadoes missed two crucial free throws with under a minute to go. A late three-pointer provided one last spark of hope for the Tornadoes, but six consecutive free throw makes from Mohamed Elgohary eventually confirmed the Life U. win.
Overall, the Running Eagles shot 43% from the field and 29% from long-range in the contest. Talladega shot a solid 42% from behind the arc, but as time was expiring, poor free throw shooting (52%) ultimately led to the Tornadoes falling short in the comeback.
Up next, the Running Eagles will face Fisk University this upcoming Thursday, December 8th, in the Eagles' Nest. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM.
