MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner's (10-5, 5-1 SSAC) strong defense coupled with shooting efficiency from key players anchored the Eagles' fifth consecutive Southern States Athletic Conference victory with a 73-59 decision over Loyola (10-4, 3-2 SSAC) here at Tine Davis Gymnasium this evening.

The Eagles battled the Wolfpack in a close bout for the better part of the first half, but by the three-minute mark the home team began to pull away and owned a 10-point lead by the break.

Faulkner never trailed in the second period and led by as many as 14 points en route to a win by that same margin.

Jose Jimenez was again stellar for the Eagles. The senior guard led all scorers with 19 points and tied for the defensive lead with eight rebounds.

Marquis Grays and Rene Scott followed with 16 points each and offered up four and two rebounds, respectively. 

Lucas Luttrell had 10 points and four rebounds, while Logan Jozwiak offered up eight boards and a pair of points.

Faulkner was once again without key starter Di'mar Hill who's awaiting test results for a hand injury he suffered early on in the Mobile contest on Tuesday. Hill missed the first eight games of the season due to a leg injury, but has led the Eagle offense since his return. 

"I'm elated with how we played tonight," said head coach Scott Sanderson following the win. "We guarded the way we've been taught to guard and that paid off for us. We lost a player who averages 27 points and you can't make up for that offensively, but when you play like that you get a great win. We hate that we're without Di'mar. We want him to play, he want's to play, but the pause button doesn't get hit on your season when your down a player. You have to work and that's what they did tonight. That was a defensive victory. Marquis Grays and Rene Scott really picked it up and were a big part of that win. This is why I love team sports. It takes an entire team to win games."

Faulkner will next travel to Mt. Vernon, Ga., to take on Brewton-Parker in SSAC action on Thursday, Nov. 12. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. central.