NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 84, Point 69
Records: Life U, 6-0 (1-0 SSAC); Point, 3-2 (0-1 SSAC)
MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University men's basketball team continued its' unbeaten streak to start the 2025-26 season while picking up the first SSAC win of the year on Thursday night with a victory over the Skyhawks of Point.
The visitors started out hot in the Eagles' Nest, opening the contest on a 13-5 run. Big threes from Matija Gledic and Calvin Payton pulled the contest back within two just before the first media timeout of the night.
Life continued to battle to stay close in the contest as the Skyhawks took their biggest lead of the night, 28-19, with just under ten minutes left in the first. However, Life U once again refused to go away. The Running Eagles offense continued to grind, eventually pulling within one after a free throw from Josh Baugher. Buckets from Brashon Hall and Calvin Payton gave Life U its first lead of the night with just over four minutes left in the half.
From there, the Running Eagles closed the half on a 12-3 run, taking a seven-point lead into the break.
Out of half, Life U kicked it into high gear. Strong defense saw the Skyhawks struggle to keep up as the Running Eagles offense found its' stride.
Free throws from Shane Stevensen at the 17:36 mark pushed the lead to ten as Life U went on to lead by double-digits for the remainder of the game. Baugher gave the Running Eagles its largest lead of the night, 79-57, after knocking down a jump shot with 05:42 to play.
Life U saw four players reach double-digits in the scoring column by the end of the contest, with Payton leading his squad with 17. Baugher added 15 points while Srdjan Popovic racked up the assists with seven. The contest concluded 84-69 for a Life U victory.
TURNING POINT:
--Life U claimed its first lead of the contest with 04:29 left in the first and never looked back.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--The Running Eagles held a seven-point lead at the break, with Calvin Payton leading the team with eight points.
--Life U racked up the steals with eight total.
--The ball distrubution was clean tonight with the Running Eagles having 22 assists.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Josh Baugher: 15 points, 5 assists, 4 steals
--Calvin Payton:17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
--Srdjan Popovic: 7 points, 7 assists
--Brashon Hall: 12 points, 2 assists
--Shane Stevensen: 12 points, 4 assists
UP NEXT:
--Life U remains at home for another conference contest, taking on Brewton-Parker on Saturday, Nov. 22.
