Contributed
(Dec. 19, 2009)

MOBILE – Faulkner used a balanced scoring attack to gain control and then hit seven-of-eight free throws in the final minute to hold off Spring Hill, 83-78, Friday afternoon at the Outlaw Center.

The victory was Faulkner’s sixth in a row as the Eagles improved to 7-4. Spring Hill (5-2) lost for the first time at home this season.

“I’m happy for our guys to be able to go home on a six-game winning streak,” said Faulkner head coach Jim Sanderson, whose Eagles don’t play again until Jan. 4. “We started the game off well, and then made the plays at the end to hold them off. I think we keep getting better. We still have a lot to work on, though.”

Faulkner raced to an early 10-point lead at 20-10 eight minutes into the game, but the Badgers slowly whittled away and trailed only 37-34 at halftime. Spring Hill took a 65-64 lead with nine minutes left, but the Eagles steadily pulled away before closing the door from the free-throw line. Faulkner hit 17-of-22 free throws, and outrebounded Spring Hill 47-27. The Eagles got 18 second-chance points, while the Badgers had only two.

Faulkner placed five players in double figures, with Darius McKnight and George Manomano scoring 14 apiece. Adam Okechukwu had 13, while De Hereford and Randell Moore each added 12.  Spring Hill’s Marcus Coleman led all scorers with 34 points. Antonio Burch added 13 for the Badgers.

Faulkner travels to take on the Mobile Rams on Jan. 4.