NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 71, Thomas 66
Records: Life U, 18-9 (11-6 SSAC); Thomas, 7-9 (4-13 SSAC)
MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University men's basketball team picked up a solid SSAC win over the Nighthawks of Thomas late Thursday night. The Running Eagles trailed at the half time break but commanded the majority of the second-half action.
Both squads traded buckets early in the Eagles' Nest as neither could find significant breathing room. Just one points separated the two teams at the first media break, with Life U holding a narrow 9-8 lead.
The action remained close for the middle minutes of the first. The Nighthawks retook the lead with 10:07 left in the frame, looking to push the pace. The Running Eagles fought to stay within striking distance as Thomas clung to a narrow 34-30 lead with under four to play. At the break, Thomas carried a 39-32 lead to half. Maurice Wright kept Life U in the contest offensively in the first half, leading the scoring with 12 points.
Out of the break, a pair of Life U free throws from Wright, followed by an and-one from Shane Stevensen quickly cut the deficit to just two. Riding the momentum, the Running Eagles retook the lead just minutes later. Continuing to create separation, Life U proceeded to go on a 10-4 run and claimed a 52-43 lead.
Though the Nighthawks kept it close through the midway point of the half, the Running Eagles eventually pushed the lead to double-digits behind a Brashon Hall layup with 06:04 left. Making things interesting, the Nighthawks continued to fight to pull the game within a single possession, trailing by just four with 03:16 to play.
However, four points was as close as the visitors would get as Life U capped off a 71-66 victory at home.
TURNING POINT:
--Life U started the second half strong, quickly erasing the seven-point half time deficit.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Both squads shot over 40% from the floor.
--The visitors held a narrow edge in rebounds, 37-32.
--The Life U defense forced 14 turnovers and recorded nine steals.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Maurice Wright: 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals
--Calvin Payton: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
--Shane Stevensen: 9 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
--Josh Baugher: 9 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists
UP NEXT:
--The Running Eagles cap off the 2025-26 regular season with one final home contest, taking on ABAC on Saturday, Feb. 21.
