THOMASVILLE, Ga. – For the first time in nearly three years, Faulkner has dropped consecutive games as the Eagles lost to Thomas 70-61 Saturday. Playing without three of its starters from the season opener, Faulkner struggled to close the game out, squandering a late lead on the way to the loss. 

The Eagles led by seven at the under-12 media timeout in the second half. The Night Hawks broke the huddle and started a 9-2 run that thrust them in front on a Trint Bryant free throw with 8:24 to play. C.J. Hines answered at the other end with a layup that put the Eagles back in front before Desean Enzor matched the bucket with a jumper. Faulkner's final lead came 22 seconds later when Jalon Perry ripped a jumper through to put the Eagles up 54-53 with 6:45 to play. A Desean Enzor three at the 6:20 mark proved the final lead change of the contest. Thomas went on to stretch the advantage to as many at 12 before Daniel Garmendia's three with 13 seconds left set the final margin. 

Faulkner struggled to put distance between itself and Thomas all game long. The Eagles opened the scoring with a pair of threes for the 6-0 lead before Thomas tied the game. Faulkner got the advantage back up to five on a Jeremy Jordan dunk with 10:46 left until halftime but never grew the lead beyond that point on the way to trailing 32-30 in the locker room. 

Thomas did much of its work in the contest at the free throw line, making 16 of 23 attempts. For its part, Faulkner made four of its eight charity stripe shots, all of which came in the second half. The Eagles shot 45.6 percent from the floor and 26.3 percent from three in the effort while turning the ball over 15 times. 

The result marked the first time Faulkner has lost consecutive contests since Feb. 16, 2019 when the Eagles fell to Mobile on the heels of a loss to Stillman. 

Garmendia topped Faulkner with 17 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists. Perry contributed 15 points and four rebounds while Hines had 10 points, five rebounds and four assists. 

Faulkner (9-3) returns to action Saturday, Dec. 18 when it hosts Dalton State at noon.