NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 75, Dalton State 81
Records: Life U, 17-9 (10-6 SSAC); Dalton State, 17-8 (10-5 SSAC)
DALTON, Ga. — The Life University men's basketball team fell in overtime to SSAC opponent Dalton State on Saturday afternoon. Shane Stevensen recorded a last-second bucket to force overtime between the Running Eagles and Roadrunners, but Life U ultimately came up short in the overtime period.
The contest was back-and-forth out of the gate, with neither team able to take a large advantage in the opening minutes. Deadlocked at 23-23 near the end of the half, the Running Eagles proceeded to go on a large run in the final six minutes. Allowing just two buckets to the home squad, Life U caught fire on the opposite end of the floor. Back-to-back buckets from Brashon Hall and a pair of free throws from Baqi Lecky saw the visiting offense push the lead to as many as 14.
The Running Eagles carried a 12-point advantage into the break with Calvin Payton leading the scoring with 10 points.
The Roadrunners spent the majority of the second half working back into the contest. The Life U lead was slashed to single-digits with 14:29 left and in the blink of an eye, Dalton State brought the game to just one possession with 11:19 to play. Life U relentlessly hung on to the lead, even pushing the game back to double-digits (55-44) behind a Chase James-Robinson three at the 09:40 mark.
The home team refused to go quietly, going on a massive 15-1 run, tying the contest once more at 63-63. Over the final three minutes, Dalton State lurched ahead, taking a six-point lead at the 01:09 mark. Life U turned to Shane Stevensen, who knocked down a pair of big free throws before the defense forced a turnover on the ensuing possession. Hall capitalized on the mistake, knocking down a huge shot in the paint to make it a two-point game. Following a pair of misses from the Roadrunners, the Running Eagles once again turned to Stevensen in the paint as he dropped in the game-tying bucket as time expired to force overtime.
In the overtime period, Life U struggled to get shots to fall, as the contest closed 81-75 in favor of the Roadrunners.
TURNING POINT:
--Shane Stevensen forced overtime with a last-second bucket in the paint, but Life U fell in the overtime period.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Life U struggled from beyond the arch, shooting just 4-24 (16.7%).
--It was a battle on the boards as Life U held a 48-40 advantage.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Shane Stevensen: 25 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists
--Calvin Payton: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
--Brashon Hall: 13 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
UP NEXT:
--The Running Eagles return home for the final home stand of the year, taking on Thomas on Thursday, Feb. 19.
