COCHRAN, Ga. - Faulkner's Erichea Barnes and Olivia Adamson made big plays down the stretch as the Lady Eagles erased a late deficit and escape with a 78-75 victory here Saturday afternoon over Middle Georgia in an important Southern States Athletic Conference matchup at Morris Gymnasium.

The Knights (8-18 overall, 4-13 SSAC) led 70-68 with 2:37 to play before Barnes hit her second 3-pointer of the quarter to give Faulkner the lead for good. Adamson followed with a basket to push the lead to three, and both made free throws that helped hold off the hosts in the final minute.

"This was a big win for our team, and I'm proud of how we responded when the game was on the line," said Faulkner head coach Reed Sutton, whose Lady Eagles avenged a 49-46 home loss to Middle Georgia two weeks ago. "We're working on seeding for the conference tournament and this win will certainly help. We hit big shots when we had to have them, and we did a great job on backboards as well."

Faulkner improved to 12-14 overall and 8-8 in the SSAC, and defending on how the final week of the regular season can finish anywhere from fifth to seventh in the final standings.

Faith LeGate had 23 points and seven rebounds for Faulkner, which also got 17 from Adamson and 15 from Barnes. China Leary added 12 for the Lady Eagles. Adamson added 11 rebounds and Brandy Alley 10 for the winners. Tascianna Taylor's paced the Knights with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Mahler Fletcher had 12 points on four first-half 3-pointers.

A fast-paced first half was highlighted by good shooting from both teams. Three 3-pointers in the first 10 minutes by Fletcher allowed the Knights to take a 25-23 lead after one quarter, and the hosts pushed the advantage to 35-29 three minutes into the second period. Leary then sparked an 11-0 Faulkner run, scoring five points and dishing to Adamson for a basket that put the Lady Eagles on top 40-35 at the 2:39 mark.

Jones scored twice inside as Middle Georgia regained the lead in the final minute of the half, but Kylie Moore's two free throws moments later gave Faulkner a 44-43 advantage at the break.

Faulkner hosts Coastal Georgia Thursday at 5:30 p.m. The game will be the Lady Eagles' annual Play4Kay Day, with proceeds raised going to the foundation and its efforts to bring awareness and financial support to fighting breast cancer.