MARIETTA, Ga. - In the first half of their TranSouth Athletic Conference game on Thursday night, the Life University Running Eagles defensive pressure really gave the Mid-Continent University Cougars problems. In the second half, the story was completely the opposite.

Life University (12-10, 3-3)  build as much a as an 11-point lead, but Mid-Continent (15-7, 3-1) whittled way as the first half wound down, then used a 17-0 run in the middle stages of the second period to put Life University in their rear-view mirror, as the Cougars took a crucial road win from Life, 93-77.

Lee Ames knocked down a 3-pointer on the first possession of the game to give Mid-Continent the early 3-0 lead, but Life responded. The Running Eagles scored the next eight points, as they claimed a lead they would hold for the remainder of the half. Life eventually built their lead to 11 points twice, at 24-13, and 26-15, but they were unable to put Mid-Continent away, and the Cougars fought back. Mid-Continent closed the gap slowly, pulling to within two late in the half at 36-34, but Life scored four of the period's final six points and at the break the Running Eagles held the lead 40-36. Life continued to hold a slim lead through the early part of the second stana, but midway through the period, the game turned dramatically. Mid-Continent had trimmed the deficit to five at 63-58, when Antonio Davis earned a trip to the foul line and the Running Eagles were subsequently whistled for a technical foul. Gavin Scott and Davis connected on all four free throws, then Lee Ames stole the ensuing inbound pass, finding Scott to put the Cougars on top 66-63. Moments later, the Cougars put the game away. Holding a 70-67 lead, Mid-Continent went on a 17-0 run that stretched the margin to 20-point margin, and from there it was all academic, as Mid-Continent took the win 93-77.

Scott led all scorers with 26 points in the game, adding four blocked shots, and a pair of Cougars recorded double-doubles in the game. Charles Peden put up 24 points and grabbed 11 boards, and Ames tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds, with Davis adding 12 points, nine rebounds and a game-high seven assists. As a team, Mid-Continent made 38-of-69 (55.1%) shots on the night, but just 2-of-11 (18.2%) from 3-point land. At the line, Mid-Continent made 15-of-22 (68.2%) from the foul line. The Cougars out-rebounded the Running Eagles 46-41.

Mid-Continent will return home for another key game on Saturday afternoon, when they play host to the NAIA #11 Bethel University Wildcats (20-3, 3-1), with tip-off scheduled for 4 p.m.