MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Sometimes numbers tell the story in a basketball game, and sometimes they don't. One thing numbers can't do is measure heart and energy, and Scott Sanderson's Faulkner basketball team showed plenty of that Thursday night.

Despite being dominated on the glass, being outscored in the paint and in points off turnovers, the hard-charging Eagles knocked off NCAA Division II Stillman 88-85 in a hard-fought battle at Tine Davis Gymnasium.

Playing most of the last 10 minutes without starting point guard and catalyst Di'mar Hill, who was saddled with foul trouble, Faulkner pulled away to a 12-point lead with under four minutes to play thanks in large part to the sharp-shooting of senior Nick Drake. When Hill finally fouled out moments later, however, the Tigers climbed back in it. Jamon Jackson-Wilson, Ronald Singleton and Rod Lewis combined for 15 points in a late stretch that brought the visitors to within two in the final minute, but the Eagles made just enough free throws to hold them off.

"That was a good win for our basketball team," Sanderson said. "We played hard and we played with passion. Stillman has a really good team, and for the second straight game we improved. If we keep getting that kind of effort and play, we're going to be a tough out. I'm just really proud of our guys for sucking it up and finishing the game. We were tired, but we didn't give in."

Playing its fourth game in the last seven days - and it's third in the past four - Faulkner broke open a 60-all game with a key run to grab control. Drake, who finished with a game-high 32 points, scored six in the decisive stretch and Robert Baltruns added a big 3-pointer as Faulkner built an 82-70 lead with 2:33 to play. It proved to be just enough of a cushion to secure the Eagles' second win in a row, which improved their season record to 6-7.

In addition to Drake's big night, which included five rebounds and three assists, Faulkner placed three other players in double figures. Baltruns finished with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Lucas Luttrell added 13 points and Hill 12. Hill added five rebounds and four assists, with Monta Sanford and Logan Jozwiak contributing six points apiece. Sanford also had seven assists.

Drake, Luttrell, Baltruns and Jozwiak combined on a season-high 13 3-pointers on 29 attempts. Faulkner shot 51 percent from the field, it's second straight outing of hitting more than half its shots. Stillman, which outrebounded Faulkner 38-27 and outscored the Eagles 48-30 in the paint, was led by the 21 points from Lewis. Jackson-Wilson had 18 and Lewis 16 for the Tigers, who had 19 points off turnovers to 11 for Faulkner.

In a fast-paced first half, neither team was able to take control. Stillman's biggest lead was five, while the Eagles led by four late in the half. Drake's 13 points and Baltruns' 10 paced the Eagles' attack in the opening 20 minutes, with the Tigers relying on more balanced scoring, with six players scoring four points or more in the period. Despite being outrebounded by six, Faulkner had a 36-34 lead at halftime.

"We need to take a break and get some rest, and it's well-deserved," Sanderson said. "When we get back the challenges will certainly be bigger, but our guys are excited about it. I am too."

After a break for Christmas, the Eagles get back into action on Dec. 29 when it hosts Pikeville, the top-ranked team in the NAIA. The game tips off at 7 p.m. at Tine Davis Gymansium.