MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University women's basketball team battled to a tough 65-47 loss Friday night, falling to Freed-Hardeman in a closely fought non-conference contest. The Running Eagles overcame early shooting struggles with a stronger third-quarter performance, scoring 17 points in the quarter to cut the deficit to just three, but Freed-Hardeman's dominant presence in the paint and efficient three point shooting down the stretch was too much to overcome.

Brionna Sims led the Running Eagles in scoring with 17 points and grabbed four rebounds. Dianis Hurtado added 11 points and played a crucial role in the team's third-quarter surge as a quick spark off the bench. Kenya Robinson contributed a team-high 8 rebounds in the loss.

Freed-Hardeman had a huge fourth quarter to come away with the win, scoring 29 points in the fourth quarter alone. In the final period, and only up six, strong perimeter shooting, including 4-6 from three-point land field an outburst of offensive production. Life's slim deficit at the start of the fourth dwindled all the way down to a one point contest, 44-43, but, after that, the margin quickly grew to an insurmountable lead as the Lions went on a scorching 23-2 run to end the game. 

With the loss, Life University falls to 8-5 overall, remaining 3-1 in SSAC play.

Up next, the Running Eagles remain at home hosting Bethel in another non-conference contest tomorrow, concluding the annual Life U Running Eagle Classic. Tipoff in the Eagles' Nest is set for 3 pm.