NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 98, Middle Georgia 97
Records: Life U 21-5 (13-3 SSAC), Middle Georgia 15-7 (11-5 SSAC)

MARIETTA, Ga. – The Life University men's basketball team won a double-OT thriller against the Knights of Middle Georgia late Thursday night in the SSAC Game of the Week. Life U's Chaze Harris made the game-tying layup in regulation to force overtime where the Running Eagles made a crucial stop in the dying seconds of the second overtime to secure the 98-97 win.

Both offenses came out ready to play in the first half, with the teams trading buckets from the opening tip. As the half progressed, Life U relied on its defense to keep them in the contest, forcing ten turnovers from the Knights in the first 20 minutes of play. However, a stellar 70% shooting percentage from beyond the arch kept MGA in front by two at the end of the first. 

Middle Georgia showed no sign of slowing down out of the break, immediately opening the half on a 12-4 run. Elias Ramirez and Srdjan Popovich knocked down threes to slow the run and an old-fashion three-point play from Dara Olonade cut the deficit to just three with 13:09 left to play. From there, both teams continued to scrap as the squads found themselves tied at 70-70 with under seven left to play in regulation.

Life U led by as many as seven in the final four minutes of play but found itself down by two with 40 seconds to play. Turning to the premier scorer, Chaze Harris took a hard drive down the lane and connected at the rim to level the contest 86-86. Though the Knights would have three chances to win the game in regulation, the Life U defense stood strong to force overtime.

Both offenses struggled in the first OT, with neither team finding the basket for the final 2:38 of the period. The Running Eagles had the final possession of the period but were unable to knock down the game-winning three.

Middle Georgia came out firing in the second overtime, jumping out to a five-point lead. Life U struggled from the floor, knocking down its first bucket with just 2:48 left to go. However, three-straight buckets in the paint, including a dunk and layup from Olonade vaulted the Running Eagles into the lead with just 22 seconds remaining. The Knights once again had multiple looks at a game-winner, but a steal from the Life U defense in the final second of the game marked the end to a dramatic night in the Eagles' Nest. 

Up next, the Running Eagles remain at home for Senior Day, taking on ABAC on Saturday, February 15.