PULASKI, Tenn. – Connor Peach's last-second three-point attempt rattled off the backside of the iron as the Martin Methodist Men's Basketball team suffered a 68-65 loss to No. 9 Life (Ga.) University Tuesday night in its home opener.

In a rematch of last year's opening round matchup in the national tournament, the RedHawks (0-6) and Running Eagles (2-2) went back-and-forth in front of a boisterous home crowd.

In a contest that featured 10 lead changes, the game swung on the seventh and final tie of the night with just under three minutes to play.

After a bucket from RedHawk guard Jordan Olison knotted the contest at 58-58, the Running Eagles connected on their 12th 3-pointer of the night to pull ahead by three. A RedHawk turnover gave the ball back to the Running Eagles, who swished home a jumper to pull ahead 63-58 with 1:53 left in regulation.

But the RedHawks mounted one final surge and pulled within one, 63-62, with 29 seconds remaining. That's when the Running Eagles delivered two clutch free throws to pull back ahead by three.

The RedHawks missed an ensuing 3-point attempt, but the following free throw clanged off the iron for the Running Eagles.

That set the stage for one final RedHawk push as Patrick Murphy flipped an inbound pass to a streaking Connor Peach, who pulled up and fired a three straightaway from just beyond the arc. The shot fell off the back of the iron, however, and the Running Eagles escaped with the three-point win.

Murphy finished a team-best and career-high 11 points on a perfect 5-of-5 night from the floor. The sophomore also tracked down five rebounds in the loss.

The RedHawks featured eight different players on the scoresheet as Olison and Will Smith scored 10 points apiece.

Undra Mitchem led the Running Eagles with 23 points – 21 of which came from beyond the arc in a 7-of-13 effort from distance.

The loss was a frustrating one for the RedHawks, who have already lost two games by one possession or less this season. The contest marked the third time in as many seasons the RedHawks have battled to a one-possession game in their home opener.

Martin Methodist returns to action next Tuesday, Nov. 21, for a showdown with Cumberland (Tenn.) University. The RedHawks suffered an 84-69 loss to the Phoenix when the teams met in Lebanon, Tennessee back on Nov. 4.