HATTIESBURG, MS. – On a career-night for Devin Story, the Life University men's basketball team rallied to claim a 88-79 overtime win over William Carey University. Story was electric on Thursday, posting a career-high 36 points as he banked eight 3-pointers in the contest.
In the first half, the two teams fought to maintain a lead as there was a total of six lead changes and multiple ties before Life University held on for the single-point, 36-35 lead at the break.
The Running Eagles' offense was efficient in the early going with Devin Story tallying four first half threes to go to halftime with a game-high 14 points. With a 26-26 deadlock at the 4:34 mark, Story went on a solo 8-3 run with two successful long-range bombs.
The Running Eagles then opened the second half with a split at the line from Mohamed Elgohary. The Crusaders responded with a trey of their own overtaking the Life U lead, 38-37. The teams then traded the lead each of the next five possessions before the Crusaders started to break free with a 7-0 run, 47-41.
The Running Eagles then came clawing back as another three from Story fell through, 47-44.
William Carey then maintained and grew the lead over the next 10 minutes, mounting a lead as big as 11, 65-54 with 10:36 to play.
Despite trailing by double-digits three separate times in the second half, the Running Eagles refused to go down without a fight. Once again, Story came through with a clutch 3-pointer then Dara Olonade capitalized with a dunk to take the lead at 74-73. The lead was then extended 75-73 with 35 seconds to play, but two converted free throws sent the game to overtime.
In overtime, Story was key scoring seven of Life University's 13 points, getting it done when it mattered most to finish the night with 36 points on 8-11 from deep. With the game tied at 79 each, the Running Eagles went on a run scoring nine straight points to take control of the game in OT.
Up next, Life University remains on the road facing Blue Mountain Christian University Saturday at 3 PM EST.
