MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner opened the 2025-26 season in style in the annual Jimmy Faulkner Classic, taking control from the start and never trailing in an 86-52 victory over Montreat on Friday at Tine Davis Gymnasium.
It was a dominating performance on both sides of the ball, as the Lady Eagles shot 53.6% from the floor, including three quarters of shooting over 50% in the first, third and fourth. The second half numbers were boosted by Faulkner shooting 54.5% from three in the second half. On defense, the hosts held the Cavaliers to just 27.3% shooting, and the latter did not convert on any of their 22 long-range attempts.
Ruthie Smith came up with a steal on the opening drive, and graduate wing Morgan Holland DeWitt opened the scoring for the season with a layup in her return from an injury that finished her 2024-25 season two games in. Ania Sands of Montreat would respond with a layup of her own, but that was the only time the Cavaliers did not trail the Lady Eagles as Faulkner took the lead for good three possessions later with Keyarra Scottland's free throw. Freshman Brett Douglas got the rebound on Scottland's missed second shot before Scottland assisted her second DeWitt layup. Faulkner steadily grew the lead bit by bit from there, earning their largest lead of 41 points in the third period.
Sophomore Avery Rogers led the team with 14 points, with four of her five field goals coming from three, while adding three rebounds, a block and a steal. DeWitt poured in 13 points and seven rebounds in her successful return. Grace Anne Rose scored 13 off the bench. Smith registered 10 points, eight boards, four steals and a block. Freshmen reserves Audrey Blaine and Addison Cantrell scored eight and seven, respectively. Scottland led the team with seven assists while drawing contact and putting up four from the charity stripe. Douglas and Ella Jane Connell had three and two steals, respectively, and Connell and Sydney Steward, with the latter also coming off a season-ending injury, each contributed seven boards and three points.
Faulkner is back at it tomorrow against Ave Maria in another 5 pm tipoff.
