MONTGOMERY, Ala. – For the second time in five days Faulkner took a Top 15 team to the wire and came up just short when it lost to No. 13 Talladega 75-72 Tuesday. In a wild affair that saw 20 lead changes and 13 ties, Faulkner went ahead 71-69 with 2:59 to play when Angela Grant (SO/Hoover, Ala.) dropped in a turnaround. Talladega's Diamond Jolly drained a pair of free throws with a minute to play to put Talladega up 73-72.

Brijanee Moore added a shot with 18 seconds left to move the advantage to three. Faulkner drew up its final opportunity with 13.5 seconds remaining. Channing Gafford (JR/Athens, Ala.) fired the ball across the baseline for a corner three but the shot missed, icing the Talladega win.

The Lady Eagles shot 43.6 percent from the floor and 83 percent from the free throw line while outrebounding the Tornadoes 47-38. Still, Faulkner turned the ball over 29 times and allowed 18 offensive rebounds, helping Talladega to hoist up 78 shots in the game. The Tornadoes took advantage of the miscues to the tune of 38 points off turnovers.

Jolly had a game high 15 points as one of five Talladega player to score in double figures. Angela Grant paced Faulkner with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Ashlyn Adkins (JR/Locust Fork, Ala.) finished with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists. Megan Wilkinson (SO/Lumberton, Texas) chipped in 11 points for the Lady Eagles.

Faulkner (5-2) return to action Thursday when it hosts Thomas University at 6 p.m.