MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Two days after a crucial Southern States Athletic Conference victory over Loyola, Faulkner answered the bell again. Monday night's victim was 17th-ranked Mobile, as Di'mar Hill had 24 points and Logan Jozwiak 19 in the 81-71 victory here at Tine Davis Gymnasium.

The Eagles, who improved to 9-11 overall and 3-5 in the league, grabbed the lead five minutes into the game and never relinquished it, avenging an 11-point road loss to the Rams (12-6 overall, 6-2 SSAC) back in November. For Faulkner head coach Scott Sanderson, the positive results of late are a bi-product of one thing - confidence.

"We have that word plastered everywhere around here, because it's so important," Sanderson said. "I think we went through a stretch a couple of weeks ago where we weren't really believing in ourselves. We then had a week off and regrouped, and since then these guys have laid it on the line and played with great energy and effort. This group is on the way, if we keep the same intensity and effort, to becoming a team that believe it can compete in this league. I'm proud of them."

Faulkner led by 12 at intermission and Jozwiak's 3-pointer on the second half's first possession pushed the margin to 15, but the Rams would not go quietly. After Mobile trimmed the margin to two points at 49-47 with 13:38 to play, Hill, Jozwiak, Nick Drake and reserves Matt Pond and Jose Jimenez made key plays that allowed the Eagles to regain control. Hill's ability to penetrate and distribute continuously confused the Rams, who were whistled for 25 fouls in the game that resulted in 40 Faulkner free-throw attempts. Despite making just 25 of them, it was enough to hold off any thoughts of a late Mobile run. The lead grew back to 12 at the 4:45 mark, and the closest the Rams could get from there was seven.

Drake added 12 points for the Eagles, who got nine from Pond and four more from Jimenez, who also made two critical steals in the second half. Faulkner outrebounded the larger Rams 32-28, with Hill and Lucas Luttrell grabbing six apiece. Jozwiak and Monta Sanford snatched five each for Faulkner, which committed only nine turnovers in the intense physical matchup. Hill had seven of the Eagles' 11 assists. Brandon Barnes knocked down four second-half 3-pointers and finished with 22 points for Mobile. Dillon Pollard and Daouda Soumaoro each had 13 for the Rams.

Faulkner steadily built its first-half advantage by taking the ball to the basket, with Hill scoring four times at the rim. The Eagles' aggressive approach with the basketball also allowed frequent trips to the free-throw line in the opening 20 minutes, with Sanderson's team hitting 13-of-18 tries in the first half. Mobile, meanwhile, made only one free throw in four attempts. It was a 10-0 stretch midway through the half that handed Faulkner control, turning a 15-14 deficit into a 24-15 lead with 12:01 left in the period. The Eagles were on top 41-29 at the break.

Faulkner faces Coastal Georgia Thursday night in another conference matchup. The game tips off at 6:30 central time.