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Score: Life U 96, Truett-McConnell 83

Records: Life U, 4-0; Truett-McConnell, 1-1

MARIETTA, Ga. - The Life U men's basketball team used a swarming defense and 24 points from Tyreke Johnson to cruise past Truett-McConnell, 96-83, on Thursday night in the Eagles' Nest.

The Running Eagles jumped out to an early lead and withstood a fight from the Bears to win their fourth game of the season. 

Tyreke Johnson continued his outstanding start to the season, leading all scorers with 24 points and filling the stat sheet out with six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Junior Cortez Johnson poured in 18 points on 5-of-5 from inside the arc and 8-9 from the free throw line.

Newcomer Chaze Harris was 8-11 from the field with 16 points while Ladarron Cleveland was the fourth Running Eagle to reach double figures, scoring 13 points, while Dara Olonade tallied ten points and seven rebounds.

Overall, the Running Eagles scored 25 points off 18 Truett-McConnelll turnovers while committing just ten turnovers themselves.

Life U used stifling defense and a red-hot first half from T. Johnson jumped out to a double digit lead in the first half. The Running Eagles forced 11 first half turnovers from the Bears, led by two steals from T. Johnson and 17 rebounds from the team.

T. Johnson scored 19 points and grabbed three rebounds in the first half while Deandre Cowan added six points off the bench. 

It was a close first half game, until the Running Eagles were able to break away at the end of the half to lead by 12 points 47-35 to go into the locker room. 

The Running Eagles continued the momentum out of the break, adding to the lead to bring the score to 56-39 in the opening minutes. However, the Bears responded bringing the game within six points, threatening a comeback. 

Life U led by as many as 19 points with about eight minutes to play and iced the game away to win by 13 in the end.

Up next, the Running Eagles will host Spartanburg Methodist College Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Eagles' Nest.