NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 81, William Carey 96
Records: Life U, 15-7 (8-4 SSAC); William Carey, 20-1 (10-1 SSAC)

MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University men's basketball team fell late to the #19 Crusaders of William Carey on Thursday night. The Running Eagles trailed by just five at the break despite an incredible display of shooting from the visitors but could not keep up in the second half.

The Crusaders were on fire to start the contest as it appeared impossible for the visiting squad to miss from three. The hot shooting put Life U behind early, trailing 18-10 at the first media break. The Running Eagles battled hard in the middle minutes to weather the storm. Despite being down by as many as 14 in the half, an 18-6 run from the home offense leveled the contest at 39-39 with 03:29 left in the half. Both squads battled hard for the remaining minutes as William Carey clung to a five-point lead at the break.

Matija Gledic and Sergio Corta led the scoring for Life U at the half time break while Maurice Wright added six assists in the first.

Life U quickly tied the contest out of the break. After being fouled on a three-point attempt, Calvin Payton knocked down all three free throws to give the Running Eagles squad its first lead of the night. The teams continued to trade the lead back-and-forth, with just one point separating the squads with 09:31 left to play. However, the Crusaders proceeded to go on a 15-6 run over the next seven minutes, taking a double-digit lead with just 02:46 left in the contest. The visitors closed out the contest with a 96-81 victory.

TURNING POINT:
--William Carey went on a 15-6 run over the course of seven minutes to take a double-digit lead late in the second half.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--WCU shot a blistering percentage from three for the first 12 minutes of the contest.
--The Running Eagles dominated the glass, 33-25.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Calvin Payton: 17 points, 5 rebounds
--Sergio Corta: 15 points, 7 rebounds
--Matija Gledic: 12 points, 5 rebounds
--Maurice Wright: 12 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists

UP NEXT: 
--The Running Eagles remain at the Eagles' Nest for SSAC action, facing Loyola on Saturday, Jan. 31.