Box Score MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Faulkner overcame a 16-point deficit and took a two-possession lead in the fourth quarter before running out of gas in a 70-64 loss to Southeastern Thursday. The first of two Lady Eagle games in the SSAC-Sun Challenge saw Faulkner open the fourth quarter with an 8-0 to take the lead for the first time in the contest when Morgan Holland made a layup with 5:55 to play. Another Holland layup on moved it to 58-54 and sent Southeastern to a timeout. The Fire answered the bell with a 7-0 run to go up 61-58. Despite keeping it within one possession for the nearly all of the final three minutes, Faulkner could not move back in front. The dagger came on an Ayana Coleman three with 1:36 left that moved the game to 66-62.

For its part, Faulkner struggled to overcome a woeful offensive start. The Lady Eagles shot just 27.3 percent from the floor in the game's opening quarter and had to battle to cut the game to two possessions by the end of the period. With 4:35 left in the second quarter, Faulkner got on a 12-2 run and cut a 16-point deficit to six before a second chance three off the hand of Bekki Kalaydjiev pushed it to 37-28.

Faulkner won the rebounding battle 42-34, took points in the paint 36-28, points off turnovers 17-10 and points off turnovers 15-5. Still, Faulkner shot just 38.5 percent from the floor and 25 percent from three while the Fire hit 45.8 percent of its field goals and 28 percent of its threes. Faulkner also made only 58.8 percent of its free throws.

Five players finished in double digits for Southeastern. Holland finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds for Faulkner. Nequoia Adams had 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Kinlee Varnell had 12 points while Ruthis Smith ended with nine.

Faulkner (1-2) faces Florida Memorial Friday at 11 a.m. in its final game of The SSAC-Sun Challenge.