MONTGOMERY, Ala. – In a game filled with missed shots, strong defense and a total of 43 fouls, the visiting Crowley's Ridge Pioneers came away with a 73-63 win over Faulkner at Tine Davis Gymnasium Friday night. The Lady Eagles had a largely listless offensive showing, with a field goal percentage of 27.9  for the game, and 20 percent or less throughout the first half. Even when Faulkner converted on more shots to gain some momentum in the second half, Crowley's Ridge was always able to generate an answer. The Pioneers, while not faring much better on offense, scored when it mattered, registering a 46.8 percent mark on field goals, but only 15.8 percent on three-point shots. This low point would prove to be inconsequential, as the Pioneers tallied 36 points in the paint, 54 rebounds to Faulkner's 37, and 14 second-chance points, while never trailing in the contest.

The visitors scored first, and, after a stretch of almost four minutes where neither team managed a point, went on a 10-3 run to end the first period with a 19-9 lead  and led 31-24 going into halftime. Neither team would hit 40 points until the 2:20 mark of the third quarter. Until that point, the Lady Eagles had come out strong in the second half, utilizing a 15-8 run to tie the score at 39-39 before the Pioneers scored 10 of the last 12 points in the third quarter. That proved to be the game's turning point as Faulkner only got to within six points of Crowley's Ridge once in the final 10 minutes.

"You know, in the first quarter, we just didn't come out aggressive at all, I suppose," Coach Reed Sutton said. "So, in the second half, we just tried to play more aggressive, and we did until about the last three minutes. We lost our aggressiveness defensively, and we got beat. Crowley's Ridge took it to us, you know? So anytime we let down, they really took it to us, and you have to give them all the credit."

Ashlyn Adkins, in her first action of the year, led the Lady Eagles with 19 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Channing Gafford was next in the box score with 18 points, seven boards and two assists. Micala Fisanick, also playing for the first time this season, chipped in 12 points and two steals. Freshman Lauren Allen had two blocks in her limited time on the court. Octavia Lowery led the Pioneers with 26 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Kianna Hardaway added 19 points and eight boards while Travia Woodruff tallied 13 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.

Both teams have little time to think about the results of this game, as they continue playing Saturday in the third and final day of the Christian College Classic, hosted by Faulkner. The Lady Eagles are set to take on receiving votes Freed-Hardeman at 5 p.m.