Faulkner Head Coach Reed Sutton believes Ashlyn Adkins (SO/Locust Fork, Ala.) can be one of the best players in the SSAC. The sophomore guard lived up to that billing Friday in Faulkner's 70-67 season-opening win over Selma University on day one of The Jimmy Faulkner Classic.

Adkins found her stroke from distance in the first half, knocking down four triples to pace the Lady Eagles to a 41-36 halftime lead.

"Ashlyn should be one of the best players in our conference," Sutton said. "When the day comes that Ashlyn realizes that she should be one of the best players in our conference, she'll do this every single night. She's such a good player."

Adkins continued to help anchor the offense in the second half as Faulkner played a nip-and-tuck final 20 minutes

After an Angela Grant (FR/Hoover, Ala.) bucket with 7:35 to play put Faulkner up 57-49, Selma started to chip away. Rebecca Payne went on a personal 6-0 run over a 30-second period to narrow the deficit to 57-54.

"They played well. They played with confidence. They had multiple weapons, so we couldn't key in on one, two, or even three players," Sutton said of the Lady Bulldogs. "You've got to give them a lot of credit. They stepped up and made some plays."

Megan Wilkinson (FR/Lumberton, Texas) stepped up with a big three to momentarily calm the tide. Undaunted, Selma charged back again. Antiyocka Howard hit a three before Kiearra Davis and Trinity Totten each knocked down a shot to leave the game at 67-64. Kassidy Bonebrake (SR/Crawfordsville, Ind.) and Wilkinson hit free throws down the stretch to seal it.

Adkins had a career high 21 for the Lady Eagles. Grant notched 13 points and 12 rebounds for Faulkner. Wilkinson scored 10 points while Olivia Colson (FR/Thompson's Station, Tenn.) had nine.

Totten and Payne had 16 apiece for Selma while Hoard scored 14.

Faulkner (1-0) plays again Saturday night when it hosts Life University on the second day of The Jimmy Faulkner Classic.