NEED TO KNOW:

Score: Faulkner 80, Life U 71

Records: Faulkner, 17-12; Life U, 19-9

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Life U women's basketball team could not close it out on Thursday night in a 80-71 loss to Faulkner. The Running Eagles led by as many as eight in the third quarter, but the Eagles prevailed and secured the win.

It was as even a competition as you could script with Life U leading by three after the first quarter and Faulkner leading by two at the half. The Running Eagles outscored the Eagles starting the second half with Sara Viti going 3-for-4 beyond the arc to give Life U an eighth point advantage with 5:23 left in the third quarter.  

The Eagles were able to respond however down the stretch and push them to the lead. The Running Eagles led by one in the opening of the fourth, but Faulkner's defense showed out and took the win to go to the semifinals, 

The Running Eagles had seven 3-pointers in the contest to Faulkner's eight but outshot the Eagles from the floor 46% to Faulkner's 39%. 

Up next, Life U waits for a potential bid to the NAIA National Tournament. 

TURNING POINT:

--Faulkner used a 6-0 run in the fourth quarter to gain momentum to earn the win. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:

--Andrea Martin Ruiz and Sara Viti both led the Running Eagles with 12 points while Maikya Simmons added 10 points too.