NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 105, Point 84
Records: Life U 12-3 (5-0 SSAC); Point 5-7 (1-5 SSAC)
WEST POINT, Ga. — The Life University men's basketball team opened 2026 with a strong offensive performance against the Skyhawks of Point on Saturday afternoon. Behind six double-digit scorers, the Running Eagles posted triple-digits on the road.
It was an extremely hot start to the contest for Life U. Going nearly eight full minutes before missing its first shot, the Life U offense jumped out to a 21-10 lead early.
Point struggled to answer the red-hot Running Eagles offense as the deficit remained in the double-digits for entire final ten minutes of the first half. Calvin Payton and Matija Gledic both reached double-digit scoring in the first half. Payton went 4-6 from behind the arc while Gledic went 2-3.
As a unit, Life U shot over 60% from the floor in the first, including 53.8% from three-point land. Maurice Wright facilitated a good chunk of the offense, recording five assists.
Carrying a 51-32 lead into the break, the pause in action did little to slow down the offense as Life U immediately pushed the lead into the twenties out of half time.
The second frame mirrored the first, as the Skyhawks continued to struggle to stop the Running Eagles. Strong second half's from Shane Stevensen and Wright allowed Life U to reach triple-digits scoring for just the second this season. Payton also saw the floor very well, distributing six assists in the second.
TURNING POINT:
--The offense opened the contest on fire, going over 7 minutes before missing the first shot of the contest and claiming a 21-10 lead.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Life U shot an astounding 67% from the floor in the second half.
--The Running Eagles had 29 assists as a team.
--Life U dominated the paint, racking up 58 points.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Shane Stevensen: 16 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists
--Maurice Wright: 20 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists
--Calvin Payton: 18 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals
--Matija Gledic: 19 points, 4 rebounds
--Josh Baugher: 8 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists
UP NEXT:
--The Running Eagles remain on the road, traveling to Brewton-Parker for more SSAC action on Tuesday, Jan 6.
