Faulkner University

February 6

ROME, Ga. - Shorter overcame a big deficit with a pair of big runs in the second half and then raced away from Faulkner for a 69-61 victory here Saturday afternoon in a key Southern States Athletic Conference  game.

Faulkner led by as many as 16 points in the first half and was on top 40-26 with 17:51 to play. That's when things went ice cold for the Eagles, as the Hawks reeled off 15 straight points to grab their first lead since the opening minutes of the game. The Eagles regained the lead at 49-46 with 5:48 left, only to see Shorter go on an 11-0 run over the next two minutes to effectively slam the door shut.

"I think we lost our composure in the second half," Faulkner coach Jim Sanderson said. "We're really disappointed with the second half and how they just dominated us on the boards. But give Shorter credit, they did what they had to do to come back."

The Hawks (16-8, 4-6 SSAC) outrebounded the Eagles (14-9, 4-5 SSAC) 38-24, with 15 coming on the offensve end that resulted in 18 second-chance points.

Camille Ngon' angon scored 10 points and was the only Faulkner player in double figures. Marqise Wright had 18 points and 12 rebounds to pace Shorter.

Faulkner hosts Auburn Montgomery Tuesday night at 7.

MT. BERRY, Ga. - Faulkner hit its first six shots and never looked back en route to a 63-58 victory over Berry here Thursday night.

The Eagles (14-8) raced to a 17-8 lead and were never headed, building a 34-19 lead at halftime that only grew early in the second half. The largest advantage was 27 points - a Chris Palmore bucket pushing it to 56-29 with 10:03  to play. The Vikings (6-12) never got closer than the final margin of 15.

For the game the Eagles shot 48 percent from the field, and held the Vikings to 33 percent. Faulkner dominated the rebounding battle as well, out-boarding Berry 38-24.

"I thought for the first 30 minutes we really played well, especially defensively," Faulkner coach Jim Sanderson said. "I wish we could've finished the last 10 minutes, but overall I'm pleased. We were able to get some guys who normally log a lot of minutes some rest, and I think that might be important on Saturday."

Faulkner was led by Palmore's 15 points. Randell Moore added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Camille Ngon'angon had 10. Berry got 11 points from Will Blackwell and 10 apiece from David Holloman and Josh Bracken.

Faulkner plays at Shorter Saturday afternoon at 3.

Head coach Jim Sanderson, his wife Jill, President Hilyer and his team celebrate Sanderson's 400th career win

February 2

BY A. STACY LONG - Montgomery Advertiser

Faulkner players were devi ously mute late Monday night and wouldn't share what their future plans hold to celebrate coach Jim Sanderson's mile stone win.

The Eagles' 84-66 victory over Huntingdon College at Tine Davis Gymnasium was the 400th of Sanderson's career.

Darius McKnight powers past the defence for the jam early in the game

Demarcus Palmer goes up strong in the first half

Sure, they posed for a picture with their coach, heartily con gratulated him and were proud of him for it, but they planned to do a little more. They'll get back to you on their exact idea.

"We might do something," sophomore Adam Okechukwu said, "but I'm not sure yet. We have to talk about it."

Bojan Milosavljevic knocks down a three-pointer in the second half

And one; Chris Palmore puts in an incredible layup and draws the foul

Sanderson, who is in his 20th season as Faulkner's coach, has a 400-240 record, though he shied away from the spotlight Mon day.

Though a campuswide e-mail alerted Faulkner students to the potential milestone earlier Mon day and Faulkner players were reminded of it just before the game by assistant coach Sam Al len, Sanderson said he didn't know it had arrived.

De Hereford goes up in traffic in the second half

Andrew Boland with an uncontested dunk late in the game

He admits he knew it was close -- but not imminent -- and didn't plan any special cele bration of his own to mark the occasion.

"I haven't had a shot since I've been a coach and I haven't made a rebound," Sanderson said. "I'm glad for the guys, but it was a frustrating game and we have to get ready for the rest of the season."

Sanderson did reminisce about his first victory, though he's admittedly shaky on some of the details.

Fans go crazy as Tyler Parker checks in to the game

In 1985, the Eagles played in a tournament at Berry College, lost their opener and won the consolation game. It matched the team's win total from the previous season.

Sanderson wasn't sure who it was against, but the postgame scene remains clear because one player cried in the locker room.

"That was about 100 years ago," Sanderson said.

Tyler Parker puts up a shot with under a minute to play

On Monday, Okechukwu scored a season-high 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting and Drew Boland added 17 on 7-of-9 for the Eagles (13-8). Chris Palmore scored 11 points.

Ephriam Hudson had 18 points to lead Huntingdon (9-9). Deshaun Williams finished with 13 on 4-of-16 shooting and Jack Montgomery added 10.

"We knew Coach Sanderson was going for (his 400th) before the game, but we wanted to surprise him," Boland said. "I don't know what we might get him, but I think he'd rather have some more wins most of all."