NAIA
Men's Basketball Falls Just Short to #10 UT Southern
MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University men's basketball team fell just short of a much-needed win against UT Southern Wednesday night, battling all the way to the end before an unfortunate offensive rebound doomed the Running Eagles moving the game to two possessions with less than a minute to play. Converted free throws put the game just out of reach as Life U fell to FireHawks 78-71.
NEED TO KNOW:
Score: UT Southern 42, Life U 73
Records: UT Southern, 4-14 (3-10,SSAC); Life U, 17-5 (10-4, SSAC)
Despite the loss, the Running Eagles shot the ball more efficiently the paint on Wednesday night shooting 50% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc. Elias Ramirez and Joshua Ward led the way offensively as Ramirez led the team with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting including 4-8 from downtown. Ward found her way into double figures as well, contributing 14 points to go along with a team-high seven rebounds.
The game feature six lead changes, all coming in the first half. In the first half, Life U initially gained a lead before the FireHawks jumped ahead with a late first half 8-0 run to create separation 29-22. The eight consecutive points were then broken by an Elias Ramirez three pointer, but headed to the break UT Southern held a 37-29 lead after a last-second jumper went through.
To begin the second half, Firehawks created their largest separation of the contest a 13-point lead with 19 minutes to play. Throughout the remainder of the half the Running Eagles then fought all the way to back to a create a one-possession contest, 74-71.
From there, an impressive defensive stand forcing a bad miss from UT Southern, but, unfortunately for the Running Eagles, for the second time this season, a long FireHawk offensive rebound forced Life U to foul and hope for the best in the final minute. Successful free throw shooting ultimately closed out the contest as Life U failed to convert their final attempt from deep, falling to UT Southern 78-71.
Up next, the Running Eagles will travel to face Thomas University this upcoming Saturday for another SSAC contest. Tipoff in Thomasville, Ga. is set for 2 pm et.