NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 91, ABAC 79
Records: Life U, 19-9 (12-6 SSAC); Thomas, 5-19 (2-16 SSAC)
MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University men's basketball team capped off the 2025-26 regular season with a Senior Day victory over the Stallions of ABAC on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams started hot early as the offenses traded buckets back-and-forth. Life U narrowly out paced the Stallions early, but consistent shooting from the floor allowed the offense to build an early lead. Following a three-point bucket from Matija Gledic at the 13:43 mark, the Running Eagles claimed its first double-digit lead of the contest at 24-14.
The lead continued to hang around the double-digit mark for the middle minutes before the Life U offense took control. The lead grew to as many as 19 late in the first half as the Running Eagles carried a 54-39 lead into the half. Shane Stevensen was electric in the first, racking up 15 points and adding three rebounds. Josh Baugher, Baqi Lecky and Sergio Corta all added seven points as Baugher cleaned up the glass with six rebounds.
Bringing the 15-point lead out of the break, Life U continued to be steady for the opening minutes of the half. However, ABAC refused to go quietly, going on a 10-2 run to cut the lead to seven. The Running Eagles worked hard through the middle minutes to push the lead back into the teens once more.
It appeared Life U could run away with the contest late as the team boasted a 81-62 lead with 07:14 left to play, but the Stallions made things interesting. Cutting the lead to single digits at the 04:09 mark, nine-points would mark as close as ABAC would get. Life U closed out the final regular season contest with a 12-point, 91-79.
TURNING POINT:
--Life U closed out the first half strong, taking a double-digit lead into the break.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Life U shot 60% from the floor in the first half.
--The Running Eagles and Stallions battled hard on the glass, 32-32.
--Life U spread the ball around well, recording 22 assists in the game.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Shane Stevensen: 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
--Brashon Hall: 19 points, 2 assists, 2 steals
--Josh Baugher: 15 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists
UP NEXT:
--The Running Eagles travel to Montogomery, Ala. for the SSAC tournament taking on the West #3 seed Loyola on Thursday, Feb 26.
