MARIETTA, Ga — The Life University men's basketball team improved to 4-0 Tuesday night after besting Southern University at New Orleans 77-75.
In the tightly contested game, both teams struggled to create separation as neither team led by more than 13, with SUNO first earning a lead early in the first, 9-2. Elias Ramirez had another well-rounded performance with 16 points, a steal, and two assists, while Nathan Presnell turned in a stellar game notching an absurd 19 points and 18 rebounds.
In the first half, the Running Eagles found themselves down early forcing Head Coach Kevin Easley to take a quick timeout. After the timeout, and trailing by as many as seven, the Running Eagles quickly went on a 10-0 run to earn their first lead of the night 16-12. The two teams remained competitive until midway through the first when an Aleksa Skoko layup at the 5:40 mark provided Life U their largest lead of the game, 32-19. Just before halftime the Running Eagles committed a careless turnover, allowing a fast break dunk to close out the first half. Despite the change in momentum, Life U carried a favorable 41-30 lead into the break.
In the second half, three consecutive Life U turnovers again proved to be detrimental as the Knights turned the giveaways into a 9-0 run to start the second half. The two teams fought for control of the contest throughout much of the second half. Elias Ramirez hit a three and then sank all three free throws after getting fouled from behind the arc to push the Running Eagles back ahead by ten, but just as Life U began to get comfortable, back came the Knights turning a 10-point deficit into a 65-64 lead with 4:45 to play.
A Devin Story 3-ptr. later tied the contest at 67-all, but it wasn't until an alley-oop lob and dunk that pushed the Running Eagles ahead 71-69 that really change the momentum. After the dunk, Life U controlled the contest until the end with clutch free throw shooting down the stretch continuing the Running Eagles flawless 4-0 start to the season.
Up next, the Running Eagles remain home for a contest against SUN Conference powerhouse Southeastern. Tipoff in the Eagles' Nest is set for 7 pm.
