WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Carolina University men's basketball team mounted a determined second-half comeback but fell to Life University, 77–66, at Williams Gymnasium. The Bruins trimmed a 16-point halftime deficit to four behind an improved defensive effort before the visitors pulled away down the stretch.
Carolina moved to 1–3 on the season, while Life remained unbeaten at 4–0.
DJ Evans led the Bruins with 23 points on 10-of-20 shooting and added three assists. Jaylen Wilkerson followed with 21 points, five rebounds and two steals while connecting on nine of his 14 field-goal attempts. Noah Jones contributed 10 points off the bench, and Nate Lewis finished with eight points and six rebounds.
Life established an early advantage and connected on seven first-half three-pointers to take a 45–29 lead into the break. Carolina responded by holding the visitors to 29.6 percent shooting in the second half, including an 0-for-11 mark from beyond the arc, while outscoring Life 37–32 over the final 20 minutes.
The Bruins steadily worked their way back into contention. A three-point play by Jaylen Wilkerson cut the deficit to seven with 14:13 remaining. Carolina later put together an 8–0 run, capped by consecutive baskets from DJ Evans, to close within 57–53 at the 6:57 mark.
Life answered with six straight points to restore a double-digit advantage. The Bruins continued to battle, pulling within seven on multiple occasions late in the contest, but the visitors maintained their lead at the free-throw line.
"I am encouraged by our effort in the second half. Life University is a really good team and we showed we can definitely compete on that stage. We need to get off to better starts, but our defense is giving us opportunities to win meaningful basketball games," said Head Coach Jake Heck.
Will Dixion led Carolina on the boards with eight rebounds and added three assists. Israel Griffin contributed five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. The Bruins shot 47.4 percent from the field, but Life held a 39–32 rebounding advantage and scored 18 points off Carolina's 18 turnovers.
Maurice Wright paced Life with 19 points, while Sergio Corta recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Carolina returns to action on Saturday, November 7, hosting Montreat College at 4 p.m. in Williams Gymnasium.
