Box Score MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner saw a 22-point lead in the first half completely evaporate before using a 14-4 run midway through the second to retake control as the Eagles beat Pensacola Christian 85-73 here Saturday night at Tine Davis Gymnasium.
Scott Sanderson's team used a balanced scoring attack to grab a 44-22 lead with two minutes to play in the opening half, only to see the visitors from Pensacola score the last seven points of the period and the first seven of the second half to pull within 44-36 with 18:06 to play. PCC kept the momentum over the next seven minutes, outscoring Faulkner by nine in the stretch that resulted in a 55-54 advantage.
The Eagles (2-1) quickly regained command with the 14-4 run - highlighted by a pair of 3-pointers from Nick Drake and another from Alex Anderson - and Faulkner was never seriously threatened again. PCC did pull to within six in the final two minutes, but the Eagles made 10 straight free throws from there to ice it.
"I'm glad we won but I was trying to play everybody tonight a lot and it almost cost us," Sanderson said. "We have a ways to go if we're going to become the team we're capable of being."
Peter Parkitny takes a jump shot during first half action against PCC. SETHANY HAGLE/FSN
Anderson and Drake each had 20 points for Faulkner, which also got 17 points from Marquis Grays and 13 from Monta Sanford. The Eagles won despite getting outrebounded 41-27.
Joel Thomas paced Pensacola Christian (1-3) with 23 points. T.J. Jackson added 14, while Dylan Crane had 12 and Seth Crane 10.
Faulkner travels to Murfreesboro, Tenn., Thursday night to play an exhibition game against Middle Tennessee State. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30.
