Martin Methodist nips mistake-prone Faulkner

Richarde McCray goes up for two of his 20 points

Dec. 3, 2007

Montgomery, Ala. - Martin Methodist used a balanced attack and took advantage of numerous Faulkner miscues, recovering from a big first-half deficit to defeat the Eagles 86-80 Monday night in a non-conference battle at Tine Davis Gymnasium.

 

    The RedHawks (7-1) trailed by 12 late in the first half but the cut margin to seven at the break. The second half was all Martin Methodist, as the RedHawks methodically cut into the advantage, finally taking the lead for good at 58-57 on a Mark Mangum basket with 11:52 left. Faulkner’s 18 second half turnovers included many costly ones down the stretch, as the RedHawks held on by making 12 of their last 15 free throws.

 

Darnell Richardson pulls down a rebound in the first half

 

     For the game, Faulkner (3-6) shot 51 percent from the field, but turned it over 32 times, and made only 10 of 20 free throws in the final 20 minutes.

 

     “We just didn’t handle their pressure very well at all,’’ Faulkner head coach Jim Sanderson said. “We’ve got to figure out a way to protect the ball. Down the stretch, they did a great job of protecting the ball and making their free throws. They deserved to win.’’

 

And one... Bryant Murray gets two at the rim and one at the line

 

     Martin Methodist placed five players in double figures, with Kevin Green leading the way with 19. Eric Howard added 18, while Mark Mangum had 16, Carlton Peete 15 and Julius  Virgo 11. The Eagles were led by Richarde MCCray’s 20 points. Also in double figures were Bryant Murray with 16, Jonathan Walker with 11 and Josh Gholston with 10. Murray added nine assists and Gholston seven rebounds, both leading the Faulkner effort.

 

DaeArtis Halliburton gets a pair points

 

     The Eagles led all the way in the first half, grabbing its biggest lead at 40-28 on a Jon Uriarte free throw. The RedHawks scored the last five points of the half and continued its run in the second half. Martin Methodist’s biggest lead came in the final minute when a Peete basket put the visitors on top 82-72.

 

Bryant Murray gets some lift on a breakaway steal

 

     Faulkner travels to Canton, Ga., Thursday night to take on Reinhardt in a Southern States Athletic Conference game that tips off at 7 p.m.