TALLADEGA, Ala. - A solid start wasn't enough for Faulkner here Monday night, as Talladega used a strong second half to blow by the Lady Eagles 88-67 in a non-conference NAIA battle at Tornado Alley.

Faulkner (4-4) built a 19-13 lead after one quarter on the heels of China Leary's back-to-back 3-pointers. Shelby Williams' basket with 7:24 left in the half pushed the Lady Eagles' advantage to 26-15, but that's win the Lady Tornadoes turned the tide. Five different Talladega players scored during a 13-2 run that deadlocked the game at 28 with 2:03 left. Sashanique Youngblood's fastbreak basket lifted the Lady Tornadoes to a 34-31 lead at the break.

Leary and Erichea Barnes each knocked down 3-pointers early in the third quarter to help Faulkner regain a four-point lead at 42-38 with 7:11 to play. A 9-0 Talladega stretch grabbed control of the game, and five straight points to end the period had the Lady Tornadoes on top 57-46 heading to the fourth quarter.

Talladega scored the first five points of the final 10 minutes, and the Lady Eagles never got closer than 12 points the rest of the way. The largest lead came in the closing minute at 88-65.

"We got off to a great start and were playing well and hitting our shots," Sutton said. "I thought we had them on their heels until we gave up some easy baskets and they grabbed the momentum and never let it go. They've got really good players and we didn't get out on them, and when they're scoring well they're hard to beat, especially on their home floor. We have to find a way to put a 'finger in the dam' so to speak when things aren't going our way. We just need to learn how to be more poised, especially on the road."

Barnes had 15 points for Faulkner, while Leary added 14 points and seven rebounds. Faith LeGate was next with 13 points. Brandy Alley yanked down a game-high 11 rebounds for the Lady Eagles, who were even with the Lady Tornadoes on the glass at 40 apiece. Shakeena Benton and Tajanee Wells were the big guns for Talladega, finishing with 27 and 23 points, respectively.

Faulkner hosts Xavier (La.) Saturday afternoon at Tine Davis Gymnasium. Tipoff is set for 4.