MONTGOMERY, Ala. – It was less than pretty at times as the teams combined for 39 turnovers and 36 personal fouls, but Faulkner pulled away from Fort Lauderdale late to notch a 63-46 victory Friday. The lead changed nine times in the contest before Isaiah Brooks knocked down a shot to put Faulkner up for good.

Faulkner worked the lead as high as 16 in the second half thanks, in large part, to making 10 free throws in the final 2:42 of the contest.

The Eagles hit 34.5 percent of their shots from the floor and just 31 percent from three. They limited Fort Lauderdale to 32.8 percent from the floor and 13.3 percent from three. Faulkner won the rebound battle 49-33 including 16 offensive boards that lead to 11 second chance points.

Carl Bigord and Keysean Smith had 11 points each for Fort Lauderdale. C.J. Hines topped Faulkner with 19 points to go along with five rebounds and four steals. Jordan Hamlette added 15 points and four boards while Austin Rogers notched 10 points and seven rebounds.

Brooks had five point and a game high 11 rebounds in his collegiate basketball debut after spending the last two seasons on the Faulkner varsity baseball team. Derrick Donigan added five points and 10 rebounds.
Faulkner (1-0) is set to face Florida Memorial Saturday at 7 p.m. in the final game of the Jimmy Faulkner Classic.