MARIETTA, Ga. --- The Life University men's basketball team found themselves in a Mid-South Conference slug fest Saturday afternoon in the Eagles Nest, going back and forth with the Freed-Hardeman Lions, but coming up just short in the finals seconds in the 79-76 loss.

Life U (6-16, 3-14 MSC) came out of the gates quickly against Freed-Hardeman (15-9, 10-7 MSC), opening the game with an 8-0 run capped by a Dara Olonade bucket in the paint. The Running Eagles pushed the lead to the largest they would have all game in minute 13, after Cam Horton collected an offensive rebound dished the ball to Kyonze Chavis for the jumper and a 19-8 advantage. The Lions made a concerted push to get back into the contest, and despite Life U trying to hold them, with  just over 4 minutes to go in the half the score was tied 31-31. A FHU three ball gave them a three point lead with just a minute to go in the half, but Jordan Hernandez responded, draining a shot from beyond the arc as time expired to send the teams into the break tied 38-38.

A Chris Barnes jumper early in the second half gave the Running Eagles their only lead of the period. Life U tied the game three times in the second half, two of those ties coming off Horton shots from range. With the game tied 49-49 with 13:05 to go, Freed-Hardeman took the lead back and never gave it up, never really pulling away from the Running Eagles. Life U went 4-for-6 from deep over the final minute of the game to make the Lions sweat. With five seconds to play and down four points, Horton connected on his sixth three pointer of the game to bring the Running Eagles within a single point. After a foul, on the other side of the court the Lions made both shots from the charity stripe, Life U inbounded the ball to Horton who heaved up a shot from center court, but the shot missed, seeing the game end 79-76.

Four players broke into double-digit scoring, led by Horton's 20, hitting a career-best six three balls, to go with his five rebounds and assists and two steals. Barnes followed closely behind, posting 18 points and four rebounds, while Chavis recorded double-double with 12 points and 11 boards to go with four assists. Hernandez was the final player to hit the mark, scoring 10 with four rebounds and three assists.

The game was highly comparable in most statistical categories, the Lions holding a slight 48.3% to 44.4% on shooting overall, while Life U led 39.3% to  30.4% from deep. Life U held a strong advantage in rebounds collected, 45-32, but the determining statistics in favor of Freed-Hardeman were free throws at 73.7% (14-for-19) to 52.9% (9-for-17) and turnovers 13-6.

The Running Eagles hit the road for their next contest traveling to (RV) UT-Southern for a Monday night game set for a 9 PM tip.