GAINESVILLE, Ga. - Cold shooting from the field in the first put Faulkner in a hole and tough second half from the free-throw line prevented it from fully recovering as the Lady Eagles fell 73-66 here Thursday night to Brenau in a Southern States Athletic Conference battle at the Golden Tigers' Physical Fitness Center.

A 26-25 Brenau lead midway through the second quarter ballooned to 10 at the half, with the Golden Tigers outscoring Faulkner 10-1 to close out the period. The Lady Eagles made just 28 percent of their shots in the opening 20 minutes, and converted only 3-of-14 attempts from behind the arc to aid the Brenau effort.

The margin grew to 15 in the third quarter before the trio of China Leary, Olivia Adamson and Kylie Moore combined for 12 points during a stretch that trimmed it to five late in the period. The Golden Tigers took a 57-50 advantage to the fourth quarter. A Shelby Williams' bucket with 1:13 left brought the Lady Eagles to within 69-66 at the 1:13 mark, but Brenau converted four straight from the line to put it away.

Faulkner's attempt at a second-half comeback was party thwarted by its inability to make free throws, knocking down only nine of its 19 tries in the final two quarters. Faulkner shot 47 percent from the field in the second half but continued to struggle from 3-point range, finishing the game at 18 percent.

Leary led Faulkner (11-14 overall, 7-8 SSAC) with 17 points, while Moore and Adamson added 11 apiece. Williams and Faith LeGate both contributed 10 points for the Lady Eagles. Brenau (13-12 overall, 7-9 SSAC) was paced by Kalin Williams' 17 points and Autumn Dodson's 14.

The Lady Eagles stay on the road Saturday, facing SSAC rival Middle Georgia State in Cochran, Ga. The game tips off at 1 p.m.