NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 78, UT Southern 47
Records: Life U, 17-8 (10-5 SSAC); UT Southern, 12-13 (6-9 SSAC)
PULASKI, Tenn. — The Life University men's basketball team took down the Firehawks of UT Southern on the road Saturday afternoon. The Running Eagles defense had a standout performance in the first half while guard Maurice Wright recorded six steals in the first half alone.
The Running Eagles defense put on a master class in the first half, allowing just 14 points. The contest opened tight as the teams traded buckets early. Life U held just a three-point lead at the first media break. Out of the stoppage, the Life U defense locked in. The Running Eagles proceeded to go on a 19-2 run, allowing just one bucket from UT Southern over the course of ten full minutes of game action. The two-pointer marked the last bucket from the floor for the Firehawks in the half.
Life U allowed just two more points in the half, while adding ten more of its own to take a 40-14 lead into the break. A balanced scoring attack in the first half saw Calvin Payton and Matija Gledic both tied for the team lead with eight points while Maurice Wright racked up six steals on the defensive end.
Out of the break, the Running Eagles picked up right where they left off in the first half. Keeping the lead in the upper 20s and lower 30s, Life U coasted for nearly the entire second half. Chase James-Robinson gave the team its largest lead of the contest with 05:42 left to go while Shane Stevensen and Gledic led the team in scoring in the second frame.
The Running Eagles move to 10-5 in SSAC play following the 78-47 victory.
TURNING POINT:
--The Life U defense allowed just two buckets over the course of nearly 16 full minutes of game action in the first.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Life U was extremely efficient from the floor, shooting 44.4% for the contest.
--The Running Eagles dominated the glass, 35-26.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Matija Gledic: 17 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal
--Shane Stevensen: 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
--Calvin Payton: 14 points, 2 rebounds
--Brashon Hall: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
--Maurice Wright: 5 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals
UP NEXT:
--The Running Eagles remain on the road, traveling to Dalton State for a big SSAC match up on Saturday, Feb. 14.
