By Joel Sellers

Faulkner Sports Network

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Despite a close first half that saw Faulkner come back from a 10-point deficit to take a 40-36 lead into the locker room, the Eagles exploded for 61 second-half points to defeat Blue Mountain College 101-69 at Tine Davis Gymnasium Saturday. A slam-dunk by Nate Bradley (SR/Concord, N.Y.) and a bucket by Trace Hill (SO/Hartselle, Ala.) off of a C.J. Jones (SR/Port Richey, Fla.) steal provided the final margin at halftime. Jones then hit a 3-pointer just 13 seconds into the second half. Leading 45-40 with 18 minutes remaining on the clock, Milan Skundric (SR/Negotin, Serbia) scored the next seven points for his team on three baskets and a free throw. Skundric's points were the beginning of a 32-4 run for Faulkner which lasted from 16:27 to 8:38 left in the contest, stretching the score to 77-44. The home team merely had to keep the Toppers at bay until the game ended. The Eagles finished the contest on a 15-5 run with Brandon Reeves (JR/Mansfield, Texas)' shot with a minute left putting them in triple digits.

Faulkner was successful on 38 of its 73 field goal attempts, which was good for 52.1 percent of their shots. Blue Mountain, on the other hand, only shot 35.5 percent, or 27 of their 76 attempts. The Eagles won the rebounding battle, 50-38, and tallied 18 assists to the Toppers' seven. Additionally, 48 of Faulkner's points came from reserves, and 22 of its points came as a result of Blue Mountain turnovers.

Jamon Moore (SR/Albany, Ga.), who was not one of Faulkner's starters, scored 22 points with five rebounds. Skundric was responsible for 16 points, eight boards, four blocks, two steals, and five assists. Hill tallied 12 points and three rebounds, and Jones had six points, eight boards and three assists. C.J. Williamson (SO/Guntersville, Ala.) obtained seven rebounds to go with his nine points. Blue Mountain's Tyree Beason racked up 27 points, 12 boards, three steals and four assists, leading his team in each of those categories. Aleksa Vujadinovic had seven points and five rebounds.

The No. 13 Eagles put their 10-game win streak on the line remain at Tine Davis to face Brewton-Parker February 6. Faulkner improves to 19-3 and 10-1 in the conference slate.