NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 80; William Carey, 84
Records: Life U, 20-9 (12-6 SSAC); Loyola, 26-3 (15-3 SSAC)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Life University men's basketball team fell to the Crusaders of William Carey in the semifinals of the SSAC Tournament late Friday night.
It was a hot start for the Crusader offense in Montgomery as the Running Eagles fell behind early. Out of the first media break, William Carey pushed the lead to eight. Life U fought hard to cut into the lead with back-to-back buckets from Shane Stevensen, but could not slow down the Crusaders on the defensive end. As the deficit grew to double-digits through the middle minutes, the Running Eagles offense continued to battle to keep the contest within reach. Three straight buckets from the floor from Brashon Hall, Baqi Lecky and Stevensen pulled the game back to four with 06:53.
As the half winded down, Life U strung together a 10-2 run to take a 36-35 lead with 02:31 left. However, William Carey responded with seven-straight points to take a 42-36 lead into the break. At the break, Stevensen led all scorers with 16 points while Maurice Wright added six points, three rebounds and four assists. Life U struggled from beyond on the arc, shooting just 2-13 (15.4%).
Starting the second half hot, the Running Eagles wasted no time cutting the lead to one. Once again, the Crusaders offense responded, quickly pushing the pace and retaking a sizable league. With the lead at double-digits once again with just over twelve minutes left to play, Life U turned to Hall and Stevensen as the duo cut the deficit down to five with 09:16 left to play.
The teams traded buckets as the game proceeded, with Life U narrowly outscoring the Crusaders. Following a foul on a three point shot attempt, Calvin Payton knocked down all three opportunities from the charity stripe, pulling the game to just a one-point difference, 70-71.
Despite its best efforts, Life U once again fell behind and was unable to keep pace in the closing minutes, falling to the Crusaders 84-80.
TURNING POINT:
--William Carey finished the first half strong, taking a six-point lead into the break.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Life U was just 5-23 from three.
--The Running Eagles won the battle on the boards, 39-33.
--William Carey turned the ball over just nine times.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Shane Stevensen: 24 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals
--Calvin Payton: 20 points, 5 rebounds
--Brashon Hall: 14 points, 2 rebounds
--Maurice Wright: 9 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists
UP NEXT:
--The Running Eagles await a potential bid to the NAIA National Tournament.
