Life U Athletics
Billy Mangum, Sports Information Director
CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. – The Life University men’s basketball team nearly pulled off the MSC upset over (RV) Thomas More Saturday afternoon as the Saints used 26 made free-throws to earn the 71-68 win.
The difference maker came from the charity stripe as the Running Eagles finished 4-for-5 from the line and the Saints went 26-for-31.
Life U (4-2, 0-2) led 12-8 five minutes into the first half after a layup from Kelly with the pass from Stewart. Thomas More (6-0, 2-0) answered with a 9-0 run to lead by five two minutes later.
With under four minutes left in the first half, a layup from Stewart and a three off the steal from Ferrell swung momentum back in favor of the Running Eagles. Life U led 36-32 with 3:50 on the clock. Four free-throws from Thomas More ended the scoring as the teams went to the locker room tied at 36
Five minutes into the second half a layup from Moore put the Running Eagles ahead 42-38. Both teams struggled to take a hold of the game as neither team led by more than four for the next ten minutes. A deep three from Hernandez at the 6:07 mark tied the game at 56.
A pair of free-throws from Thomas More with 31 seconds on the clock extended the Saints’ lead to seven, 70-63. Tanksley connected on the and-one opportunity and a layup with 12 seconds on the clock cut the lead to three. A quick foul and missed free-throws gave the Running Eagles a chance with just four seconds. The last second shot fell wide as Thomas More survived the upset to win 71-68.
Lorenzo Ferrell led the Running Eagles offensively with a team-high 24 points. He finished 6-for-10 from beyond the arc with three assists and a pair of steals.
Daylon Tanksley also finished in double figures with 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a pair of blocks.
Zack Stewart tallied 10 points to end the double digit scoring for Life U.
Life U finished 27-for-58 from the field, 46.6%, while Thomas More shot 20-for-44, 45.5%. The Running Eagles finished 10-for-20, 50%, from beyond the arc, as the Saints went 5-for-13, 38.5%.
Life U scored 22 points in the paint, while Thomas More managed 28.
The men’s basketball team will return to action on Thursday, Dec. 3, as they continue Mid-South Conference action and host No. 15 University of the Cumberlands at 8 PM in the Eagles’ Nest. As a reminder, there will limited home spectators and masks are required. At this time no visiting fans are allowed on campus.