NEED TO KNOW:

Score: Life U 86, Loyola (La.) 68

Records: Life U, 13-3 (SSAC, 7-1); Loyola (La.) 4-10, (SSAC, 3-4)

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Life U men's basketball team claimed their first win of 2024 with a victorious win over Loyola University New Orleans Saturday 86-68. Joshua Ward led all scorers with his 21 points as he has scored 20 or more in six contests this season. 

Coming Home with a Win! 🚨🚨🚨

Your @LifeUMBB takes down @LoyolaWolfPack in @SSACsports game of the week 86-68! pic.twitter.com/KzSUSc4lGs

— Life Running Eagles (@LifeUAthletics) January 6, 2024

In the opening minutes, it was a slow start for both teams with the first basket being scored by Loyola in the 17' minute. It was all Ward the first half for the Running Eagles as he scored 10 points in the first half. Ward was 4-of-6 from the floor to start the game.

Three-pointers were the key in the opening half as Life U was 5-of-15 scoring 15 of their 38 points from deep. Loyola was able to put up only three 3-pointers shooting 25% from deep to Life U's 33% in the first half. 

Life U held the edge 38-27 at the half but in the opening two minutes of the second half, Loyola was able to put up six points trying to create less space between both teams, but it was not enough for the Wolf Pack. 

In the second half, Devin Story came out hot after the break bringing in 12 points giving him 16 for his game total. 

Life U had a total of five players with ten or more points in the game as Dara Olonade was in double figures with ten points. Olonade and Ward also led the way with nine rebounds while Nathan Presnell added six. 

Up next, the Running Eagles will host University of Mobile on Wednesday, January 10 at 7:30 pm inside the Eagles' Nest. 

TURNING POINT:

--In the final minutes, Life U was able to extend their lead to as high as 20 points with one minute remaining.