The upstart Dalton State basketball Roadrunners (21-3) had mowed down 13 opponents at home in the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center, before the high scoring Life University Running Eagles (14-8) brought their fast paced game to Dalton Thursday night.
The Eagles showed why they are one of the top scoring teams in the NAIA’s Division I as they out performed their hosts 110-90 before a good DS home crowd of 1,411.
Dalton State jumped out early, leading 11-6 with 1:46 into the game. The Roadrunners led by four, 18-14, with 12:40 before the break.
The Running Eagles would score 26 of the next 30 points to jump out to a 40-22 lead. By the half, Life was up by 21 points, 53-32.
Life would run-up a 30-point lead at 74-44. Dalton State never quit, pulling back to within 13 points (99-86) with only 2:49 left in the game. The Running Eagles would then pull away for the 20-point margin of victory.
Life outrebounded Dalton, 52-35, and outshot the Roadrunners from the field. The Eagles hit 44 of 75 field goals (58.7%) including nine of 16 from three-point-range. The Roadrunners were only 29 of 77 from the floor (37.7%) and 9 of 29 from three. The winners also hit 13 of 21 free throws (61.9%) compared to Dalton State’s 23 of 38 (60.5%).
Latraius Mosley led Life with 33 points and 10 rebounds. Jonathan Tinch added 32 points and Benjamin Jose-Pena added 19.
Preston Earle led Dalton State with 31 points and eight rebounds. Demetrice Jacobs scored 22, Ricky Sears 13, and Sean Tate and Tyrel Edwards each added six points.
Dalton State will entertain Allen University for Homecoming this Saturday. The game will tip-off at 4:00 p.m. at Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center.
NAIA Scoreboard
Belhaven University (Jackson, MS) knocked off Mobile (AL), 85-69
William Carey (Miss) handled Martin Methodist, 90-75
Spring Hill (Al) over Loyola (La), 86-71
Tennessee Temple bested Fisk (Tn), 103-96
Voorhees (SC) over Morris (SC), 81-78
Lindenwood-Belleville surprised Freed-Hardeman (Tn), 78-77
Bethel (Tn) downed Blue Mountain (Miss), 83-61
Pikeville (Ky) bested Bluefield (Va), 97-64
Southern Polytechnic at Faulkner (Al) was ppd until Monday, February 3
Auburn Mongtomery at Southern Wesleyan (SC) ppd to February 11