MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Faulkner held off a formidable Florida Memorial squad Saturday night to walk away with a 75-64 win in the final game of the Jimmy Faulkner Classic. Austin Rogers grabbed an offensive rebound and converted a put-back with 19:18 to play in the game to put Faulkner up 35-34. The Eagles never lost the lead again but the Lions scarcely went away. The Rogers bucket ignited a 18-7 run that saw Faulkner build a 10-point lead by the 12:14 mark of the second half. 

The Lions worked the lead down to single digits multiple times and got as close as seven with 2:37 to play in the game before the Eagles notched a pair of free throws. Rogers then served up the dagger with 58 seconds left when he knocked down a corner three to put Faulkner up 12. 

The Eagles lost the rebound battle 36-35 but helped force 15 Florida Memorial turnovers on the way to the victory. Faulkner shot 53 percent from the floor and won the points in the paint 38-26. 

C.J. Hines topped Faulkner with 24 points to go along with four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Jalon Perry added 13 points off the bench while Jordan Hamlette had 11. Rogers finished with 11 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Isaiah Brooks added eight points and seven rebounds in his second collegiate game. 

Faulkner (2-0) travels to Henderson, Tenn. Friday for the Christian College Classic. The Eagles will play UT Southern Friday and Freed-Hardeman Saturday.