by Taylor Hodges

MOBILE, Ala. – The No. 24 Eagles (13-5, 5-3 SSAC) fell in dramatic fashion as Southern States Athletic Conference foe Mobile drained a jump shot at the buzzer to defeat Faulkner 78-77 on Thursday night.

The Eagles held a slim margin for the majority of the first half, but the Rams were able to go ahead with under 10 minutes remaining in the period. The lead would change hands for around five minutes until Mobile closed the half out on a 7-0 run to take a 44-36 lead into halftime.

The Rams would go up by as many as nine points in the second period, but the Eagles were able to fight their way back into the game and go on an 8-0 run to take a 69-66 lead with six minutes remaining.

Both teams would continue to trade baskets as the game went on, and the last six minutes saw two ties and two lead changes.

Faulkner held a 77-76 lead with nine seconds to go when D.J. Hill went to the line for Mobile to shoot a one-and-one and attempt to give his team the lead.

Hill missed the front half of the bonus, and Lucas Luttrell pulled down the rebound and was fouled with six seconds remaining.

After a miss on the first bonus free throw attempt, Hill would redeem his missed free throw by hitting a jump shot as time expired to give the Rams the victory.

The Eagles were led by Logan Jozwiak with 23 points.

Marquis Grays finished with 16 points and four rebounds.

Rene Scott tallied 15 points in the match.

Faulkner's next game will be on Saturday when they travel to New Orleans to take on SSAC opponent Loyola University. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.