MOUNT VERNON, Ga. - Faulkner used a decisive second-half stretch to break open a tight game, and then coasted to an 84-63 Southern States Athletic Conference victory here Saturday afternoon over Brewton-Parker at the Student Activities Center.

A balanced attack, led by Di'mar Hill's creativity with the basketball, helped the Eagles win their fourth straight SSAC game to move to .500 in the league (5-5) and overall (11-11). It's the first time Scott Sanderson's team has been .500 overall since mid-November, and it has battled back after an 0-4 start in the conference.

The Eagles saw an eight-point halftime lead reduced to one in the opening two minutes of the second half, and that's when Hill made his presence felt. After scoring just two points in the first half, the junior point guard erupted for 13 in the second half. He also dished out seven assists, and was able to get others involved in the attack as Faulkner steadily pulled away. In addition to Hill's efforts, Nick Drake had 18 points, and Marquis Grays, Lucas Luttrell and Monta Sanford added 11 apiece. It was the first game this season that the Eagles have placed five players in double figures.

"I really didn't care for what I saw in the first half, but in the second we got back to doing what we do best, and that's get Di'mar involved and let him create," Sanderson said. "We keep making a little progress with each game, and I think our guys are now playing to a level that has them confident. We've got a lot of guys who can score, and if we're moving the ball well in our offense we can be a tough team to defend, despite our lack of size."

As is usually the case, Faulkner was outsized by the Barons but was only outrebounded 34-32. The Eagles shot 64 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes, while Brewton-Parker made 56 percent of its shots in the second half. The Barons (7-12 overall, 3-7 SSAC) couldn't keep pace after the mini-run, however, as Faulkner only committed three turnovers the rest of the way.

Brewton-Parker was led by Michael Volley's 15 points, 11 of which came after the break. Jakari Bush added 12.

Faulkner stumbled out of the gate, struggling to control the defensive glass as Brewton-Parker's Deion Bernard scored seven early points as a result of offensive rebounds. After trailing by four points six minutes in, the Eagles began to click with swift ball movement creating opportunities from behind the arc. Lucas Luttrell hit a pair, with Logan Joswiak and Marquis Grays each adding one of their own as Faulkner jumped in front. With Sanford controlling the paint - scoring nine points in the opening 20 minutes - Faulkner built as much as a 10-point lead and was on top 33-25 at the break.

The Eagles battle cross-town and SSAC rival Auburn Montgomery next Saturday afternoon at Tine Davis Gymnasium. The game tips off at 4.