NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 63; Bethel (Ind.) 75
Records: Life U, 20-10; Bethel (Ind.), 24-7
GEORGETOWN, Ky. — The Life University men's basketball team fell to the Pilots of Bethel late Friday night in the Opening Round of the 2026 NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament.
It was a hot start for the Running Eagles at the Georgetown host site on Friday as the offense quickly took control of the contest. Opening on a 16-4 run, Life U forced an early timeout out of the Pilots in an attempt to break the run. The quick stop in the action did little to slow down the Running Eagles, with the lead remaining in the double-digits until just beyond the half way mark in the first. Led by a balanced scoring attack and stout defense, Life U held the Pilots to just nine points in the first ten minutes.
Bethel slowly began working back into the contest through the middle minutes. Beginning at the 07:15 mark, the Pilots went on a 10-2 run, taking a one-point lead to mark the first time the opposition led in the contest. Struggling offensively, Life U added just four points in the remaining minutes of the first, while the Bethel offense caught fire, taking a 38-26 lead into the break.
The Pilots stretched the lead to as many as 14 out of the break as Life U now worked to cut into the lead. A layup from Shane Stevensen at the 14:49 mark cut the lead down to single-digits while three free throws from Calvin Payton minutes later kept Life U within striking distance. However, the Pilots offense continued to find success, pushing the lead back to as many 15 as the half began to wind down.
Over the final minutes of action, ten points was as close as the Running Eagles would get to Bethel, eventually falling to the Pilots by a final score of 75-62.
TURNING POINT:
--Bethel closed the final seven minutes of the first half strong, outscoring the Running Eagles 25-6 in the frame.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Despite the slow start, the Pilots shot nearly 50% (47.1%) from the floor.
--The Running Eagles struggled from beyond the arch, 3-19 (15.8%).
--Life U dominated the paint, outscoring Bethel 40-30.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Shane Stevensen: 22 points, 9 rebounds
--Maurice Wright: 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals
--Josh Baugher: 2 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds
UP NEXT:
--This marks the end of the 2025-26 season.
