MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Faulkner trailed for all of 28 seconds Friday night before taking the lead for good midway through the second half in a 73-56 win over Mobile. Maurice Anderson knocked down a three with 10:27 to play in the opening half to put Mobile up 18-17. Trace Hill dished off to Daniel Garmendia for a Faulkner three at the 9:59 mark to put Faulkner in charge for good.

The Eagles ran the lead to seven by halftime and saw Mobile get to within four in the second half on an R.J. Kelly three with 10:32 to play. Faulkner began turning the game around with 9:30 left in regulation.

Garrett Sanderson assisted an Austin Rogers bucket. Just under a minute later, Rogers dished to Hamlette for three. Rogers then fed a cutting Williamson who connected on the bucket and made good on the and-1 that followed. Wililamson then added a put-back with 6:47 to play before Hamlette knocked downed a jumper with 6:21 left to make it a 15-0 run and force a Ram timeout.

After a pair of Kelly free throws narrowed it back to 14 with 6:05 to play, Faulkner struck an 8-0 run capped by an impressive sequence in which Hamlette lost his footing, kept his dribble as he worked his way back to his feet, circled around a Mobile defender and stuck the long three for emphasis.

Mobile shot 38 percent from the floor and 38 percent from three in the contest. Faulkner countered with 42 percent from the floor and 33 percent from three. Williamson finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Hamlette notched 18 points while Sanderson had 14 points, four rebounds and five assists.

Faulkner (24-2) faces Stillman for the SSAC championship Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Each team has earned an automatic bid into the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round by virtue of qualifying for the SSAC title game.