Montgomery, Ala. - The Lady Eagles hosted the Mobile Rams for the first game of the New Year on Saturday. Faulkner started the game off strong but fell short after the Rams willed their way back to pick up the win on the road. The final score was Mobile, 93-78. 

The Lady Eagles started the scoring with back-to-back layups from Ruthie Smith and Keyarra Scottland. The Rams quickly answered with a jumper from Braylee McMath and then a single free throw from Hannah Benoit. 

The two teams then battled back and forth for the remainder of the first quarter until Faulkner closed the quarter out, leading the Rams 23-17. 

The Lady Eagles held on to their lead in the second quarter until the 3:57 mark after the Rams went up 29-28 after a jumper from Mckenna Sinon. The Rams continued to push their lead out to seven until Scottland buried a jumper to bring the Lady Eagles back within five. 

Mobile then scored the last bucket of the half to take a 39-32 lead over Faulkner. 

With the third quarter underway, the Lady Eagles continued to climb back in the game with several buckets but the Rams held on to their lead. 

In the fourth quarter, the Lady Eagles continued their onslaught of buckets but the Rams answered each time Faulkner drew closer to bridging the gap. The Lady Eagles fell to the Rams 93-78 despite the tremendous play of Faulkner. 

Ruthie Smith led the Lady Eagles with 23 points and 13 rebounds for another double-double. Grace Anne Rose poured in 16 points and six boards. Keyarra Scottland added 12 points, with Dee Guinn behind her with 10.

The Lady Eagles (5-8, SSAC 0-4) return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 7 for non-conference action against Pensacola Christian. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.