It was a low scoring ball game in Marietta between Dalton State and Life but the Roadrunners used a strong second half to erase a two-point halftime deficit and defeat the Running Eagles 53-49 at the Eagles Nest on Thursday night.
Life got the first bucket of the game and pulled out an 8-2 lead at the a little under 5 minutes into the game. Dalton State drew even at 8-8 with 11:46 to go in the half after a Boubacar Kamissoko layup.
The Roadrunners grabbed the lead at 12-10 for a short bit just over a minute later after a Carterius Evans lay-in but couldn't capitalize on opportunities as Life re-took the lead just past halfway in the period.
Dalton State tied the game on three occasions as time wound down but the final basket of the half went to Life in the final seconds as they carried a 26-24 lead into halftime.
The game continued to go back-and-forth as the second half began with Life holding a 4-point lead (37-34) at the 15:02 mark.
A 14-0 run lasting 6 and a half minutes allowed the Birds to gain the upper hand in the slugfest at 46-37 with 8:35 remaining in regulation.
The lead grew to 11 points (50-39) after a Donavan Miller layup with 3:54 on the clock.
Life cut the lead to 5 points (53-48) with just over a minute to go but it was as close as they got as Dalton State held on for the victory.
Dalton State (Ga.) improves to (5-4 overall, 2-2 SSAC) with the win, while Life (Ga.) falls to (7-3 overall, 2-2 SSAC) with the loss. Sean Cobb lead the Birds with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 from the free throw line adding 8 rebounds.
Backcourt mates Donavan Miller and Boubacar Kamissoko score 10 points each for Dalton State with Kamissoko pulling down 8 boards and Miller dishing 4 assists. Franklin Almonte was a force on the glass coming off the bench ripping down 14 rebounds.
Three Running Eagles scored in double-figures with Joshua Ward leading with 12 points. Dara Olanade and Tylan Green had 10 points each respectively for Life.
Neither team could find their flow in the game as Dalton State shot 33.9% (19-for-56) from the field while Life shot 27.1% (19-for-70) overall. Both squads combined to go 7-for-50 from distance with Dalton State hitting 5 treys and Life just 2.
DS held the rebounding edge 49-42, while Life scored more in the paint, 28-26. Life only committed 5 turnovers that turned into 3 points for Dalton State. In contrast, Life score 12 points off 12 Roadrunner turnovers.
UP NEXT
Dalton State will continue their conference road swing with a matchup against Middle Georgia State on Saturday, December 3. Tip-Off in Cochran is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.