LEBANON, Tenn. --- In the penultimate game of the Life University men's basketball regular season, the Running Eagles kept things close in the first half. but were unable to hold pace in the second with Cumberland (Tenn.), losing 77-56 in Mid-South Conference play Friday afternoon.

The first half was played closely, Life U (8-19, 4-17 MSC) holding a nearly double-digit lead half way through the period, but a short-handed rotation saw the team fade as the game progressed. Chris Barnes and Nathan Presnell led the way for the Running Eagles in the first, both players recording seven points to see the team only four points down as the half ended. Life U's largest lead of the game came with 9:43 to play in the first after Barnes connected on a free throw with a 19-10 score. With just two minutes to go in the half, Cumberland retook the lead and never gave it back.

Coming out of the break, a pair of Cam Horton layups in the opening minutes tied the game 31-31, but that would be as close as the Running Eagles would get. Three minutes later the Phoenix lead expanded to 10 points, Life U never pulling the deficit back to within double-digits as the game ended 77-56.

Only Horton and Hernandez recorded double-digit scoring nights, both earning 10. Hernandez had seven rebounds and a steal to go with his scoring, while Horton chipped in four boards.

Life U had a tough time shooting on the night, while the Phoenix were hitting their shots well, Life U trailing shooting percentage 54.2%-33.3%. Neither team shot great from deep, Cumberland holding a slight 27.3%-25.9% edge, while both hit 87.5% of their free throws. Cumberland dominated paint scoring 42-20, while Life U trailed slightly 37-34.

The Running Eagles end their regular season tomorrow on the road, facing Lindsey Wilson at 5 PM.