Box Score TALLADEGA, Ala. – Faulkner found itself with a chance late but could not finish against the No. 3 team in the country Saturday, falling to Talladega 76-69. A Jalon Perry layup off an Isaiah Brooks steal and dish with 4:06 to play cut the deficit to 63-61 and appeared to give Faulkner plenty of hope. 

Following an Amir Yusuf free throw and a Cam Potts jumper, Trace Hill answered the call with a shot of his own to narrow the gap to 66-63. But a foul on Daniel Garmendia with 2:34 to go allowed Potts to make a pair of free throws. Yusuf hit a layup on the ensuing Talladega trip and the Tornadoes led 70-63 with 2:12 left. For its part, Faulkner followed turnovers with missed shots on the offensive end, leaving itself in a considerable hole with 53 seconds left when Potts put in a layup to move the advantage to nine. The Eagles could get no closer than five from there. 

Faulkner shot 41 percent from the floor and made just eight of 32 three-point attempts. Conversely, Talladega connected on 48 percent of its shots including 11 threes. The Tornadoes won the rebounding battles 43-32. The Eagles forced 15 Talladega turnovers in the game and matched the Tornadoes in paint scoring at 30. 

The Eagles, however, got very little offense from their bench Saturday. The reserve unit combined for only four shot attempts and no points on the afternoon. 

Hill topped Faulkner with 21 points to go along with seven rebounds. C.J. Hines finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Perry added 12 points while Brooks had 12 points and eight rebounds. Daniel Garmendia added 10 points and six rebounds in the effort. 

Faulkner (15-4, 7-2 SSAC) return to action Monday at Dalton State in a makeup contest.