KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Faulkner struggled to overcome a slow offensive start Saturday as it suffered a 60-52 defeat to Shawnee State in the women's side of The Show. The Lady Eagles managed only four points in the first quarter, falling behind 17-4 through the game's first 10 minutes to leave themselves at a strong disadvantage.
Faulkner scored all four of its first-quarter points at the free-throw line while missing all nine of its shots from the floor. The cold shooting, combined with seven turnovers in the period, told the tale of what proved to be a long day for the Lady Eagles.
In the second quarter, Faulkner started to scratch back into the game with a 40-percent performance from the field, aided by two
Mary Alice Murner threes that saw her as the leading scorer heading into the locker room at halftime.
Trailing 28-19 through the first 20 minutes of play, Faulkner got to within six twice in the third quarter before Shawnee State opened the lead up to 11. While Faulkner battled it back to a three-possession game on multiple occasions in the fourth period, the Bears opened the margin up to 13 with 26 seconds to play. A
Ruthie Smith layup and a
Nequoia Adams three set the score to its final margin.
Faulkner finished the game shooting 35.3 percent from the field while Shawnee hit 39.5 percent of its looks. The Lady Eagles won the rebound battle 34-32 but committed 21 turnovers that contributed to 17 Bear points. Faulkner made 10 of its 17 free throw attempts while Shawnee State knocked down 25 of 38.
Smith paced Faulkner with 18 points and nine rebounds.
Dee Guinn had nine points while Murner finished with eight.
Faulkner (4-5, 0-2 SSAC) returns to action Saturday at 6 p.m. when it takes on No. 3 Campbellsville.
