TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Stillman College's season-opening, six-game win streak came to an end Tuesday night, as the Tigers dropped their Southern States Athletic Conference and home opener, 65-59, to Faulkner University in Birthright Alumni Hall. The Eagles (4-1, 1-0 SSAC) were receiving votes in the preseason NAIA Coaches' Poll.
Stillman built a six-point lead late in the first half, but Faulkner fought back to cut it to a one-possession game at the half. Neely Johns hit a 3 to make it a one-point game with 38 seconds left in the half, but
Devyn Lockhart answered with a 3. Johns hit a layup with one second left to cut Stillman's lead to 31-29 at halftime.
Laneja Warner led Stillman with four 3-pointers in the first half, but was held to only one in the second half to finish with 15 points.
Faulkner opened the second half on a 15-2 run to build a double-digit lead, 44-33. Stillman battled from behind in the second half. Led by
Amaria Strong, Stillman opened the fourth quarter on a 10-1 run to trail by two, 54-52, with six minutes to play. That was the closest Stillman got though.
The Eagles managed to keep the edge in the final minutes, leading by four, 61-57, before the Tigers began to foul with 40 seconds left. Morgan Holland made 4-0f-6 free throws to secure Faulkner's win and finish with 19 points.
Farrah Pearson followed Warner's lead with 11 points, while
Jamesha King led Stillman with 11 rebounds, three blocks and four steals. She scored six points behind Lockhart's nine and Strong's eight.
Holland and Angela Grant led Faulkner with nine rebounds. Nequoia Adams and Kinlee Varnell also scored in double figures for Faulkner with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Stillman (6-1, 0-1 SSAC) will remain home Thursday, Nov. 17 to host Oakwood University at 5:30 p.m. This Saturday's SSAC game at Talladega College is postponed to a future date.
