NEED TO KNOW:

Score: Voorhees 65, Life U 62

Records: Voorhees, 2-8; Life U, 9-2

MARIETTA, Ga. - The Life U women's basketball team battled it out for the win against a tough defensive Voorhees team Saturday afternoon.

Maikya Simmons and Maeisha Teasley both finished with 13 points to lead the team and Center Deborah Powell continued her outstanding play the entire game, with ten points. The senior also added to the stat sheet with eight rebounds. 

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Tough battle against Voorhees but your @lifeuwbb snags the win 65-62 to end on a 2-0 week! pic.twitter.com/YkokGWBwQf

— Life Running Eagles (@LifeUAthletics) December 9, 2023

In a tough defensive battle by both teams, Life U took control with a 14-7 run over the starting seven minutes of the first quarter thanks to three steals by Teasley helping the Running Eagles keep the lead and shutting down the Tigers defensively. 

Life U led the entire second half keeping the Tigers trailing. Voorhees was able to cut their deficit to 29-28 by the end of the period. However, the Tigers out scored the Running Eagles 15-13. 

The lead for Life U did not remain throughout the third quarter as the Tigers clawed their way back into the contest and were battling out back and forth taking the lead three separate times. The Running Eagles were able to make some space at the end of the third, leading 48-44. 

Voorhees nearly completed the miraculous comeback, taking the lead with 4:25 left in the fourth quarter, but Life U was able to push back by creating enough space to take the win. The Tigers tried to respond with a three in the final second but it was not enough to bring them ahead. 

Up next, Life U will be back in action against Truett McConnell on the road on Thursday, December 14th at 5:30 pm.

TURNING POINT:

- After Voorhees cut the Life U lead to just one point in the final minutes, the Running Eagles were able to pull away enough to secure the win. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:

- Simmons and Teasley both delivered another dominant performance, showcasing her versatility with 13 points.

- Powell scored in double figures, with a highly efficient ten points and also added eight rebounds.

- Andrea Martin Ruiz was a power on the offensive side with seven assists.