Box Score HENDERSON, Tenn. – Free throw woes and untimely turnovers disrupted Faulkner's efforts Friday night as the Eagles fell 77-75 to UT Southern, formerly Martin Methodist, in the Christian College Classic. 

The Eagles last led at the 8:02 mark after an Austin Rogers layup put them up 54-53. The bucket came amidst a sequence in which the lead changed eight times in less than three minutes. Faulkner had been down seven with 12:17 to pay when Jalon Perry knocked down a three to narrow the gap. Daniel Garmendia hit a triple of his own with 10:53 to go, cutting the deficit to 45-44. The Eagles grabbed the lead on a Trace Hill layup with 10:33 left. A Garmendia free throw moved the advantage to 47-45 for Faulkner. 

Adarion Hudson answered 27 seconds later to put the Firehawks back on top. The lead lasted just 13 seconds as Hill made another layup to give Faulkner the 49-48 advantage. Hudson responded with a three 10 seconds later to send the advantage back to the UT Southern side before C.J. Hines answered with a three at the 8:40 mark to put Faulkner up 52-51. Kavion Hancock's made layup cast the lead to the Firehawks again before the Rogers bucket. 
Hudson buried a three with 7:41 to play to set UT Southern back on top. The jumper allowed the Firehawks to embark on a 9-0 run that saw them built the lead to 62-54 by the 5:28 mark. 

Perry hit a layup that started Faulkner's final push. Garmendia connected on a three with 3:59 to go that left his team down just three. Tennessee Southern got the lead back to seven with 1:05 left before Garmendia hit another three to get his team back in it again. When Perry connected on a three with 15 seconds left to cut it to 76-75, Faulkner found itself with one last opportunity. After the Firehawks made only one side of a double bonus, Faulkner trailed 77-75 with 12 seconds to go. The Eagles worked the ball into the hands of Perry who drew contact with 2.5 seconds left and lost the ball. The clock expired without the Eagles getting a shot off. 

Faulkner shot 43.5 percent from the floor and 58.3 percent from beyond the arc. The Eagles managed just 50 percent at the free throw line while turning the ball over 12 times and winning the rebound battle 36-32. 

Hill paced the Eagles with 18 points. Garmendia added 16 to go along with six rebounds and three assists. Hines notched 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the effort. Perry had 15 points and nine boards. 

Faulkner (2-1) takes on Christian College Classic host Freed-Hardeman Saturday at 4 p.m.