LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Life University men's basketball team lost in the First Round of the NAIA Tournament Tuesday night, falling to the Falcons from Florida College 79-77 in a thrilling back-and-forth affair. 

In the opening round of the national tournament, the Running Eagles held an 11-point lead with three minutes left in the first half, but as the second half began, the Falcons clawed back into the game to keep the game close. With the game nearing its end, the Running Eagles' attack fell stagnant. In fact, Life University led 75-71 with 4:58 to play, but as the offensive efficiency plummeted, the Falcons claimed a 76-75 lead and never looked back. The unfortunate scoreless drought for Life University saw the team go without points until one second was left in the ball game. 

Overall, Florida College shot 52% from the field and 41% from long range. Life U. hit 12-of-31 from deep and 48% from the field, neither team attempted double-digit free throws. Additionally, the Falcons scored 40 points in the paint while Life U tallied 32. Second chance points heavily favored Life U while both teams took care of the ball as neither team held a drastic advantage in points off turnovers.

Led in scoring by Joshua Ward, the Running Eagles were moments away from a first round upset over the higher-seeded Falcons as Ward, Devin Story, Mohamed Elgohary and Dara Olanade all reached double digits. Elgohary neared double-double territory with 12 points and nine boards while Olanade notched seven boards in the loss. The Falcons' Anthony Bittar and Matt Simpson each tallied 21 points. 

With the loss in the First Round of the NAIA National Tournament, the Running Eagles' 2022-23 campaign comes to an end. Life University's 19-11 season marks the team's best showing since the 2016-17 season.