MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Faulkner followed its 21-point win over Brewton-Parker with an even bigger one, a 103-55 drubbing at Tine Davis Gymnasium on Saturday night to clinch the SSAC East. The Eagles led 53-23 going into the locker room, and once again never trailed. They continued their outstanding shooting performance, by going 50.7% mark from the court and 43.6% on long-range shots, while holding the Barons to 39.6% and 30.8%, respectively, and making all but one shot from the charity stripe. Faulkner won the rebounding battle 42-26, had 22 assists to the Barons' nine, and forced 19 turnovers while only committing nine. Additionally, the home team scored 14 second-chance points, allowing none to the visitors, and a whopping 31 points off turnovers to the latter's three.
The lone point of concern for Faulkner was
C.J. Williamson's health, who sustained an injury in the second half on Friday. But when Big C.J. couldn't go, Little C.J. was up to the task. Freshman
C.J. Hines stepped right in to the lineup to ensure that the team did not miss a beat, having the second-best total on Faulkner's stuffed score sheet. Williamson, wearing a boot on the bench, was present to cheer on and encourage his teammates.
Leading 11-6 five minutes into the contest,
Garrett Sanderson got a board and, attempting to pass down the court, the ball bounced off a defender's foot and right into Rogers's hands, leading to a Hill three. A Hines triple, a Hill steal and breakaway dunk and back-to-back
Daniel Garmendia threes just after subbing in pushed it to a 25-8 advantage that the Barons could not recover from.
Seven Eagles reached double figures. Garmendia had a career outing, coming off the bench to lead the team with 21 points and nine rebounds. Hines tallied 17 points and seven boards in his first start. Hill scored 13, and Rogers and
Jordan Hamlette each chipped in 11.
Derek Murphy and
Brandon Reeves both collected 10 points, and Sanderson dished out seven assists with five rebounds. Only two Brewton-Parker players got into double digits.
Faulkner completes a regular season sweep of the Barons. The Eagles stay home to face Dalton State on Monday for Senior Night before a Tuesday return trip to Dalton, Ga.
Having beaten Middle Georgia and Brewton-Parker this week, Faulkner wins the division with Dalton State's loss to Florida College, who Faulkner will travel to later next week.
