Only one player scored in double figures but Faulkner managed to grind out a 58-49 road win over Thomas University Saturday. 

The fourth quarter told the tale offensively for Faulkner but Head Coach Reed Sutton pointed to a three-pointer from Kayla Key (JR/Hartselle, Ala.) to end the third period as the game changer.

"Kayla Key hit a three to cut it from a six-point deficit to a three-point deficit with about nine seconds to go in the third quarter and I thought that was a big difference maker in getting the momentum back to our side," Sutton said.

His team trailed by as many as six in the fourth quarter but ended the game on a 20-4 run over the final 5:24 to walk away with the victory. 

"Our defensive pressure just wore them down in the fourth quarter and we made free throws to get the win," Sutton said. "It's a nice win. They're a really good team. They play extremely hard. I'm very happy with the win." 

Kimberly Horton (SO/Cleveland, Ala.) buried a three off an Ashlyn Adkins (SO/Locust Fork, Ala.) assist with 5:24 remaining to cut the Faulkner deficit to 45-42. Less than a minute later, Micala Fisanick (FR/Troy, Ala.) came up with a steal that led to a Megan Wilkinson (FR/Lumberton, Texas) bucket to narrow the gap to a single point. With 3:57 to go, Taylor Jones (JR/Montgomery, Ala.) scored off a Horton pass for the Faulkner lead at 46-45. The Lady Eagles did not trail again. Faulkner hit 10 of its 13 free throw attempts in the final quarter to ice the win. 

Faulkner shot only 31.3 percent from the floor but held Thomas to 28.4 percent shooting. The Night Hawks also missed all 13 of their three-point attempts in the game. 

"We got good shots. We just didn't put them in. The tempo and the tenor of the game was very much a defensive battle anyways. Their team played a little half court trap and ran down our shooters very well as well as putting a lot of pressure on Angela inside the post. A lot of our attempts had to come off of guard drives and offensive rebounds. It was an ugly game but it's nice to be able to win an ugly game," Sutton said. "I think it's Billy Donovan that said that 95 percent of basket ball has nothing to do with putting the ball in the basket. We didn't do the other five percent very well today, but we did the 95 percent." 

Sutton's team held the advantage in rebounding as well, snagging 56 boards while being paced by Angela Grant (FR/Hoover, Ala.)'s 16. 

Horton scored 11 to lead the way while Nicole Shirley (SO/Tuscumbia, Ala.) had eight. Kayla Key notched seven points while a trio of players scored six. 

Three Thomas players sored in double figures but Faulkner bench held a 30-17 advantage over the Night Hawks. 

"We had really positive bench energy. On the road, you have to create your own momentum and we were able to do that today," Sutton said.

Faulkner (3-1) plays again Tuesday, Nov. 20 at Pensacola Christian.