Faulkner Defeats Martin Methodist in Home Opener
Faulkner opened the regular season on Monday night at Tine-Davis Gymnasium defeating Martin-Methodist 82-67.
The Eagles started the game strong, shooting their way to a 13-2 lead less than four minutes into the game, dispelling any notion the team would let down after its exciting game to NCAA Division I opponent Auburn last Friday night.
“We never take anybody lightly,” junior guard Rich McCray said during a post-game interview.
Junior guard Bryant Murray led Faulkner’s offensive output in the first half, scoring ten points before intermission. Murray’s efforts, combined with McCray’s hustle, helped guide the Eagles to a 42-24 halftime lead. McCray tallied six points and five rebounds in the first half of play.
As a team, the Eagles shot 46 percent from the field in the first period while holding the Redhawks to a meager 30 percent shooting. Faulkner also outscored Martin-Methodist in the paint 30-8 in the half.
“We knew we’d have to come out in the second half with the same intensity we ended the first half with,” McCray said.
Faulkner started the second period much the same way it ended the first, adding to its already large lead. However, the Faulkner intensity seemed to cease, allowing a determined Redhawk squad back into the game.
“It did appear that at one time we kind of shifted gears down a little bit,” Eagle head coach Jim Sanderson said. That shifting of gears allowed Martin-Methodist the opportunity to chip away at its deficit.
However, despite their resiliency, the Redhawks were unable to cut the lead back to single-digits, ultimately succumbing to the Eagles strong shooting and pressure defense.
Faulkner finished the night shooting 48 percent from the field, including 33 percent from three-point territory. Martin-Methodist shot only 33 percent from the field and just under 27 percent from behind the arc.
McCray led the Eagles with a game high 21 points and six rebounds. Murray finished the night with 14 points.
Sanderson’s team will travel to Mobile on Thursday to take on the Mobile Rams. That game will tip at 7:30 p.m.