MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Faulkner Lady Eagles combined a selfless and balanced offensive attack with a stifling defensive performance to ride past Middle Georgia State 74-61 Monday afternoon. The home team combined for 16 assists as nine of the 10 Lady Eagles to see the court registered points. That output enabled the Lady Eagles to get 32 points from their bench. Additionally, only two Knights got more than 10 points after five of them had averaged in double figures before the matchup.

"Well, I think that was our best game all year defensively, I mean, as a team," Coach Reed Sutton said of his team's performance. "I don't think there were moments, I think it was just a series of moments kind of strung together. I think we played as a team offensively, thought we played as a team defensively, and when you can put those two things together, you look, you know, you have a real good chance to win." Sutton added that his point of emphasis with the team this season is being better than they were the previous day, which they have done so far by improving in performance and consistency.   

After exchanging leads throughout the first six minutes of the first quarter, Olivia Colson broke a 10-10 tie and gave her team the permanent lead with a 3-point play on a reverse layup. Evaiah Burrows followed that by converting another and-1 opportunity. In the second quarter, Faulkner was able to keep the visitors at arm's length.

Channing Gafford gave her team a double-digit lead that would last through halftime with a wild three-pointer that bounced off the top of the backboard before falling through the hoop. The home team went into the locker room with a 40-26 lead. The Knights answered the bell after the break, beginning the third period with a 12-4 run. They narrowed the margin to six points on five occasions, but Faulkner answered each time. The Lady Eagles further clamped down on defense in the fourth quarter, and utilized a 12-2 run in the first half of the interval to run away with the game. 

Faulkner had 17 turnovers to Middle Georgia State's 15, but led in almost every other category. The former led in points in the paint 40-22, and had 45 rebounds to the latter's 34. Both teams only scored on 20 percent of their 3-point attempts, but Faulkner averaged a 45.6 field goal percentage to the Knights' 32.3, and 72 percent on free throws, compared to 65 percent for MGA. 

Reserve Morgan Holland led her team with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Ashlyn Adkins made her presence felt once again, as she tallied 14 points, three boards and three dimes. Colson racked up 10 rebounds to go with her eight points, and Ryann Sylvester grabbed eight more boards. Gafford chipped in 12 points, seven boards and three dimes. Kassidy Broussard led Middle Georgia State with 21 points and three rebounds, and Destanee Wright was not far behind with 19 points, three rebounds and two steals. Rykia Pennamon had nine points, five boards and two steals. Jurnee Powell scored seven points, seven boards and three steals. 

Faulkner (4-7, 1-2 SSAC) stays at home for its next two games this weekend when Florida College comes to town. Friday's contest tips at 5 p.m.