NEED TO KNOW:

Score: Life U 71, UT Southern 74

Records: Life U, 10-2; UT Southern 9-2

PULASKI, Tenn. - The Life U men's basketball team fell short on Thursday against UT Southern in a 74-71 loss in SSAC play. The Running Eagles held a close lead at the break 33-32 but were outscored by four in the second half. 

Dara Olonade was once again the superstar for Life U as he scored 18 points including going 3-of-4 from the free throw line. Joshua Ward, Shomik Shahjahan, and Joshua Phillips added seven boards each. Ward also put up 14 points to help lead the Running Eagles offensively and defensively. 

Started off behind with a 6-0 lead from UTS but it was a tough fight with a 23-21 lead for the Running Eagles with 5:06 left in the half. The Running Eagles continued to rally back to lead by five in the first half but went into the break up by one, 33-32.

The second half was a back and forth battle again with both teams taking multiple leads/

UTS led by as many as seven with 8:13 to play, but Life U was able to take the lead by three points, 67-64, thanks to a 3-pointer by Elias Ramierz with 2:53 remaining. 

During the second half, Life U made five 3-pointers to cut into the lead but it was not enough late in the contest. 

Life U is back in action at home on Monday facing Freed-Hardeman at 7 p.m.

TURNING POINT:

--The game was tied at 69 with 1:42 remaining before the Firehawks made a 5-2 run to distance themselves from the Running Eagles. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:

--Olandade contributed 18 points and Ramirez went 4-of-9 from around the arc.