NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 81, UTS 64
Records: Life U 14-5 (7-2 SSAC); UTS 9-10 (3-6 SSAC)
MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University men's basketball team rolled to another SSAC win, taking down the Firehawks of UT Southern on Saturday afternoon. The Running Eagles defense led the way, frustrating the visitors and allowing the offense to build a large lead early.
The Running Eagles controlled the opening minutes of the contest, quickly jumping out to a seven-point lead. Strong defense played a key factor in the early lead as Life U held the Firehawks scoreless for over five minutes to start the game. UT Southern finally got on the board at the 14:54 mark, but continued to struggle immensely from the floor in the following minutes.
Just under the half way mark, a layup from Shane Stevensen gave the home squad its first double-digit lead of the day, 19-8. Led by the defense, as well as a lights-out shooting performance from Calvin Payton, Life U lead by as many as 16 in the first and carried a 15-point lead into the break. Payton and Stevensen both put up 10 in the first half while Josh Baugher continued to spread the ball around, recording five assists.
The Running Eagles wasted no time out of the break, quickly pushing the lead to 20 with back-to-back threes from Brashon Hall and Payton. Though the visitors did find some offense in the second half, Life U responded in kind and claimed its largest lead of the contest, 65-37, on a Sergio Corta put back at 10:23.
Similar to Thursday night, the remaining minutes became a formality for Life U as the home squad closed out its second home win of the week, 81-64. Payton and Stevensen once again led the scoring attack in the half, both posting nine. Maurice Wright did a great job crashing the boards, leading the team with seven rebounds at the final whistle.
TURNING POINT:
--The Life U defense stifled the Firehawks straight out of the gate, not allowing a single point in the first five minutes of the contest.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Life U shot 47.4% from the floor while the Firehawks struggled at 32.8%.
--The Running Eagles went 10-23 from downtown (43.5%).
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Shane Stevensen: 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
--Calvin Payton: 19 points, 1 rebounds, 1 assists
--Maurice Wright: 4 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
--Josh Baugher: 7 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists
UP NEXT:
--The Running Eagles hit the road for SSAC action, taking on Faulkner on Thursday, Jan. 22.
