NEED TO KNOW:

Score: UT Southern 42, Life U 73

Records: UT Southern, 4-14 (3-10,SSAC); Life U, 17-5 (10-4, SSAC)

MARIETTA, Ga. - The Life U women's basketball team stifled UT Southern in a 73-42 win in the Eagles' Nest on Wednesday night in Marietta.

Points were hard to come by for the Firehawks, as the Life U defense held them to just 23.9 percent shooting and forced 15 turnovers.

The Running Eagles dominated the paint on Wednesday night, with Maikya Simmons and Analeza Edore leading the way offensively. Simmons led the team with 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting while adding four rebounds and two steals. Edore found her way into double figures as well, contributing 16 points and three rebounds.

UT Southern did not lead once the entire game allowing the Running Eagles to immediately take off in the first quarter. The Life U defense held the Firehawks to five points in the first quarter and four in the third quarter. 

In the opening five minutes, Life U scored eight consecutive points to extend the lead to 8-0. Simmons scored eight of the Running Eagles' 14 points in the first quarter to give Life U a 14-5 lead going into the second quarter.

The second period was when the Firehawks attempted to fight back, but the Running Eagles were able to put up double digits in the quarter as Life U outscored UT Southern 20-13 at the break.

From there, the Running Eagles continued to put up impressive numbers, leading by as many as 31 points and never letting the Firehawks back in the game in the second half to cruise to the victory.

TURNING POINT:

- Life U delivered a quick 8-0 run to start the first quarter to build a lead it never relinquished.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:

- Simmons was efficient from the field, going 11-of-15 with 25 points.

- Edore tallied 16 points and three rebounds.