NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 79, Loyola New Orleans 84
Records: Life U, 15-8 (8-5 SSAC); Loyola, 17-5 (9-3 SSAC)
MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University men's basketball team dropped a home SSAC contest to the Wolfpack of Loyola New Orleans on Saturday afternoon. The contest featured competitive action all the way to the final whistle.
The contest started fast as both teams looked to push the pace. Just four points separated the two squads at the first media break as the Wolfpack held a narrow 14-10 lead. However, out of the media break, Loyola knocked down a pair of buckets before going on a 10-4 run to take a double-digit lead into the second media break.
Life U did well to recover, chipping away at the lead as Baqi Lecky knocked down back-to-back threes. Buckets from Josh Baugher and Calvin Payton followed shortly after as the Running Eagles leveled the contest 27-27 with 05:33 left in the first. The back-and-forth action continued for remaining minutes, with the difference in the half being a buzzer-beater, half-court shot from Payton that sent Life U into the break with a three-point lead (41-38).
Out of the break, the Running Eagles offense started pouring it on, leading by as many as 11 in the early minutes. The visitors refused to go quietly, responding with a 12-2 run just minutes later to take a two-point lead.
Both teams traded buckets down the stretch, with the Wolfpack holding a narrow 76-71 lead with 03:54 to go. Thought Life U cut the lead to as little as two, the visitors used clutch free throw shooting in the final seconds to seal the 84-79 victory.
TURNING POINT:
--Just when it appeared Life U could run up the double-digit lead, the Wolfpack responded with a 12-2 run midway through the second half.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Life U shot nearly 50 percent from the floor (49.2%).
--The Wolfpack dominated the glass, 42-30.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Calvin Payton: 17 points, 2 rebounds
--Josh Baugher: 14 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals
--Shane Stevensen: 14 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists
--Maurice Wright: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
UP NEXT:
--The Running Eagles travels to Blue Mountain for SSAC action on Thursday, Feb. 5.
