MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Erichea Barnes blistered the nets from the outside in the opening half and Faith LeGate controlled the inside in the second as Faulkner battled past Dillard (La.) 64-57 here Friday night in a non-conference matchup at Tine Davis Gymnasium.

Barnes, who made five 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes, finished with a career-high 20 points, while LeGate had her first double-double as a Lady Eagle, scoring 14 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. It was a balanced effort for head coach Reed Sutton's team, with Olivia Adamson adding 11 points and 12 rebounds and China Leary 10 points and six assists.

Faulkner, a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference, moved to 3-0 in its pre-league slate, while Dillard, out of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, dropped to 2-3.

"This was a huge win for our basketball team," said Sutton, whose Lady Eagles played without injured starting center Brandy Alley. "I told both Faith and Olivia that we needed double-digit rebounds from both if we were going to win, and they both came through. Erichea's shooting was big in the first half, and I thought our ability to force turnovers was another key in the second."

Despite Barnes' hot shooting the Lady Eagles trailed by three at the break, but used an 11-0 run early in the third quarter to grab command. Faulkner's largest lead was nine, which came on a Emma Herren 3-pointer with 4:02 to play. The Bleu Devils made a late push, but the Lady Eagles were able to hold them off down the stretch.

Alena Evans was the only Dillard player in double figures, finishing with 26 points. Rashida Ademosu had eight points and 11 rebounds for the Bleu Devils, who also got eight from Shantrell Lumar.

"This game should prove to be a great confidence builder," Sutton added. "I love how our team responded to the challenge as we head into a really tough part of our schedule."

The Lady Eagles and Bleu Devils went back and forth in the first quarter, with neither team able to build a lead bigger than four points. Leading 18-17 heading into the second quarter, Faulkner scored the first seven points of the period, with Faith LeGate's jumper giving it a 25-17 advantage. Behind Evans' four baskets, Dillard battled all the way back, posting 13-straight points to grab a five-point lead. The Bleu Devils were up 32-29 at the break.

Faulkner travels to Selma Tuesday night to face Concordia. The game tips off at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Eagles begin conference play next Saturday afternoon at 2 in New Orleans against Loyola