Faulkner Rolls Past Mobile
Struggling to reach the intensity level it displayed in Thursday's win over Auburn Montgomery, Faulkner did enough Saturday to survive Mobile's upset bid en route to a 71-53 victory over the Rams at Tine Davis Gymnasium.
The Eagles (9-1) shot 43 percent from both the field and the free-throw line, but the 27 turnovers they forced on the defensive end provided the difference.
"I told our team this morning that this would be the type game that most teams would be flat for and I challenged them to make sure they weren't, but we were anyway," Faulkner coach Jim Sanderson said. "Mobile didn't play well either, and I am proud of the guys for sticking with it and getting the win.''
For the second game in a row Faulkner never trailed, jumping out to a 16-4 lead in the first five minutes. The lead was 43-21 with 1:38 left in the half when Mobile began fighting back. The Rams scored the last six points of the first half then continued its comeback in the second, cutting the Eagles' lead to 48-38 at the 12:07 mark.
Up by only nine with 6:02 left, Faulkner's Richarde McCray knocked down a three-pointer to push the lead back to 12 and the Rams never got closer the rest of the way.
McCray's 17 points led three Eagles in double figures. Raul Cardenas scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Jon Uriarte added 10 points. Bryant Murray had eight points and seven assists for Faulkner. Mobile (5-7) got 15 points from Walter Fitzgerald and 12 from Marcus Yeager.
Faulkner hosts defending Southern States Athletic Conference champion Lee Thursday night in a battle for the lead in the league standings. The game tips off at 7.