NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 85, Freed-Hardeman 79
Records: Life U, 4-0; Freed-Hardeman, 3-1
MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University men's basketball team upset the #5 Lions of Freed-Hardeman late Wednesday night by a score of 85-79. The Running Eagles used a balanced scoring attack to get the job done, with Shane Stevensen leading the team with 18 points.
The contest opened with back and forth scoring from both offenses as the teams struggled for early momentum. Multiple lead changes saw the game tied 21-21 at the under ten media timeout. Following the break, Life U proceeded to go on an 11-2 run, led by Matija Gledic, and took a nine-point lead.
The Running Eagles continued to hold Freed-Hardeman at arms length, taking a five-point lead into the break. Maurice Wright had a monster first half, leading the team in scoring with 13 points while adding four rebounds and three steals. Gledic was also in double figures with ten points while Brashon Hall had a team-leading four assists.
Out of the half, the struggle for control continued. Srdjan Popovich knocked down a big three to extend the lead to seven but the Lions continued to hang around, narrowing the lead to four with just under 12 to play. A pair of free throws from Hall, combined with buckets from Shane Stevensen and Gledic gave Life U its' first double-digit lead of the half shortly after.
The Running Eagles fought to hold the strong lead but Freed-Hardeman made one final late push. Cutting the lead to four with 04:51, Josh Baugher and Stevensen put in clutch buckets in the paint to move the lead back to eight. Though the contest was tight until the end, Life U never let the lead fall to one possession and one final free throw from Stevensen sealed the 85-79 win.
TURNING POINT:
--Life U went on a strong run midway through the second half to take a double-digit lead.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--The Running Eagles shot 45.2% from the floor.
--Life U was strong from the free throw line, going 22-27.
--The Running Eagles turned the ball over just 11 times while forcing 17 turnovers.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Shane Stevensen: 18 points, 3 rebounds
--Matija Gledic: 17 points, 5 rebounds
--Maurice Wright: 13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals
--Srdjan Popovich: 12 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds
--Josh Baugher: 11 points, 5 assists, 2 steals
UP NEXT:
--Life U hits the road for the first time this season, traveling to Milligan, Tenn. on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
