by Taylor Hodges

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Lady Eagles opened up their season on Friday night with an 82-70 win against the Selma Lady Bulldogs in the Jimmy Faulkner Classic.

Faulkner trailed for nearly the entire first quarter, but were able to take the lead with 47 seconds left when Brandy Alley scored three points the old-fashioned way, and the Lady Eagles were able to take a 20-15 lead into the second quarter.

Chelsea Burt sparked Faulkner early in the second quarter with a pull-up three, followed by freshman Nicole Shirley scoring her first career points while taking a hit down low.

The Lady Eagles went on a 9-0 run midway through the second period and didn't allow the Lady Bulldogs to get win seven points, and were able to take a 42-29 lead heading into halftime.

Faulkner was able to spread the wealth when it came to scoring totals, as not one member of the team crossed into double digits.

Alley led the way in the first half with nine points and added six rebounds, followed by Savana Flack who made went two-for-three from behind the arc for six points.

Selma came out hot to start the second half. Rebecca Payne recorded her double-double with back-to-back three's to give her 15 points alongside her 12 rebounds. 

The intensity rose for both teams during the last three and a half minutes of the third quarter. The Lady Bulldogs took a one-point lead with less than a minute to go, but a steal by Hannah Vest with less than 10 seconds to go led to an easy layup that gave Faulkner the lead.

The Lady Eagles forced another turnover that led to a shooting foul and a technical foul with one second remaining, allowing Faulkner to take a 54-51 lead into the final quarter of play.

Selma began the fourth quarter with their third technical foul of the game committed by Payne, which was her fifth foul in the contest, with 8:30 remaining. Payne was doing most of the legwork for the Lady Bulldogs as she finished with 20 points and 15 rebounds.

Selma kept themselves around after their comeback in the third quarter, but they had four technical fouls in the second half, which led to their eventual demise, as the Lady Eagles were able to hold on for the win.

Alley led the way for Faulkner with 15 points and added nine rebounds to her tally.

Shirley recorded a team-high 14 rebounds in her first appearance as a Lady Eagle, marking the most ever in a debut for a true freshman.

"The difference in the game was us keeping our poise," head coach Reed Sutton added. "I think our depth really warmed down our poise, and when you're in better shape, your mind follows."

Faulkner will face off against Life University in the second round of the Jimmy Faulkner Classic tomorrow at 5 p.m.