MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Defense reigned as the Eagles (19-4, 11-2 SSAC) claimed a 65-55 victory over William Carey (7-12, 2-9 SSAC) Thursday night in front of an energetic Tine Davis Gymnasium.

Maxwell Starwood's three with 10:04 to play brought the Crusaders within two, but Faulkner's defense stifled the upset bid, keeping the visitors off the scoreboard for the next four minutes. On the offensive end, Jalon Perry splashed two threes while J.C. Norris buried a third trey to push the lead to 11. The Eagles' lead never shrunk below six as they closed the door. 

The 21st-ranked Eagles held William Carey to just 33.8 percent from the field and held the starting five to just 23 points. 

Perry led the floor with 18 points while C.J. Hines added 14. Isaiah Brooks picked up his third double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 boards. Norris ended the night with 12 points in 16 minutes off the bench, shooting 50 percent from the floor. The game featured just 10 free throws with the Eagles shooting four.  

Faulkner claimed its fifth consecutive win over the Crusaders and has now won 35 of its last 36 home games. 

The Eagles travel to New Orleans to take on the No. 3 Loyola Wolf Pack (20-1, 9-1 SSAC) Saturday at 2 p.m. With results around the league, Faulkner sits one loss behind first place Talladega (10-1 SSAC). The current league No. 2 and No. 3 matchup will be the last contest the Eagles play against a team currently in the top half of the league standings.