WEST POINT, Ga. – Faulkner took the lead 20 seconds into the game Saturday and never relinquished it in an 86-40 victory over SSAC rival Point. Less than 48 hours after suffering an overtime setback at Brewton-Parker, the Lady Eagles executed early and often, taking out plenty of frustration in the latest iteration of the Battle of I-85. Faulkner dominated the glass in the first half and turned 11 offensive rebounds into 13 second-chance points.
Having taken charge from the outset, the Lady Eagles scored 30 points in the first quarter and 51 in the first half. Faulkner carried a 51-29 lead after the first two periods of play. The scintillating first half saw eight different players score, with
Avery Rogers' 11 points leading the way.
Ruthie Smith, who notched a career-high 31 points Thursday night, shot the ball only three times in the first half but contributed five rebounds, four assists, and two steals alongside her three points.
The Lady Eagles shot a blistering 68.8 percent from the floor in the first quarter while going 7-for-12 from beyond the arc. Faulkner added to the lead from there with a 21-15 margin in the second quarter and a 20-7 showing in the third. The Skyhawks finally reached the 40-point mark with 5:30 remaining in the game and did not score again until the closing seconds, managing only six points in the fourth quarter.
Overall, the Lady Eagles shot 47.1 percent from the field and 33.3 percent beyond the arc while knocking down 11 threes in the contest. Faulkner won the rebounding battle 52-25, spurring an 18-4 advantage on second-chance points. The Lady Eagles also outpaced the Skyhawks in the paint, outscoring Point 36-8 in the lane.
Morgan Holland DeWitt topped Faulkner with 18 points to go along with nine rebounds. Rogers added 14 points while Smith finished with 12 to go along with six rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.
Audrey Blaine ended with 10 points, matching her career high.
Faulkner (16-7, 10-4 SSAC) will play the duration of its schedule in Alabama, including three straight home contests. The Lady Eagles host No. 14 William Carey Thursday at 5:30 p.m. before welcoming Loyola to the friendly confines of Tine Davis Gymnasium for a noon tip on Valentine's Day. Faulkner hosts Dillard Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m. and then travels to Mobile for the regular season finale Saturday, Feb. 21 at noon. The SSAC tournament begins Wednesday, Feb. 25 and will take place in Montgomery.
