Box Score


Dalton State   34 – 43 = 77
Faulkner         29 – 31 = 60
 
The Dalton State basketball Roadrunners (17-10, 9-7 SSAC) are on a roll after winning their third straight game. The Roadrunners used a strong defense and excellent shooting from the floor Thursday night to knock off a good Faulkner University (14-13, 8-7 SSAC) squad at Mashburn Arena, 77-60.

Attendance was listed as 1,454.

The only Eagles lead of the game was at 3-2.  Marcel Hawkins three point shot (shown above) put the Roadrunners up, 5-3, and they went on to lead by 20 (31-11) when Rudy Winters hit a three with 6:43 remaining in the first half. Faulkner scored nine straight points to pull to within 11 points (31-20). Dalton State would maintain a 35-29 advantage at the break.

The visiting Eagles opened the second half by pulling to within four (38-34) before the Roadrunners scored nine straight points to go up by 13 points (47-34). DS went on take a 27 point advantage (71-44) when Jordan Bowling connected on a three with 2:58 remaining in the game. A three by Deshawn Ruffin helped Dalton State maintain that 27 point lead (77-50) with 58 seconds remaining. 

Dalton State finished the drill, but the Eagles would not quit. "You always expect they are going to come back," said Roadrunner Coach Tony Ingle. "These guys are college basketball players. They don't give up. They're going to keep working and continue coming after you."

Faulkner scored the final ten points of the game.

"We got off to a rocky start, but Reed Dungan came in and calmed the water and gave us the composure that we needed," said Ingle. "You've got to give Faulkner credit. They are hard workers. They are a good team. They shoot the ball well. They rebound well. At the same time, I was proud of our guys and how well they executed down the wire."

Dalton State hit 26-46 from the floor (56.5%) including 10-20 from beyond the arch. The Roadrunners also hit 15-25 from the foul line (60%). Faulkner was 18-49 from the floor (36.7%) and only 5-21 (23.8%) from three. They hit 19/29 (65.5%) free throws.

Rebounding was close with 32 for Dalton State and 29 for the Eagles. The Roadrunners outscored Faulkner off the bench 27-9, and in the paint, 30-22.

Dalton State's Jalen Robinson had 18 points, 8 rebounds, three assists, and one blocked shot. Winters came off of the bench to have 14 points, pull down four boards, two assists, and three steals. Jordan Bowling scored 13. He was 75% (3-4) from beyond the arch, 80% from the floor (4-5), and 2-2 in free throws. Dungan scored 9 points and had three steals and one blocked shot. Hawkins and Ruffin each scored seven. Jamaine Burrey had five points and three assists. Taylor Bowling added four points. He hit both shots that he attempted.

Faulkner's Di-mar Hill scored 24 points including 12/15 from the free throw line before fouling out. Nick Drake scored 14 points for the Eagles.

Dalton State hosts Auburn-Montgomery for homecoming Saturday at 4:00 p.m.  The Warhawks knocked-off No. 24 Middle Georgia State Thursday evening, 75-59.

The Roadrunners' 9-7 SSAC record places the Birds in a tie for third in the conference with Bethel (17-10, 9-7) and Martin Methodist (16-11, 9-7). Auburn-Montgomery (14-11, 8-7), Loyola (13-11, 8-7) and Faulkner (14-13, 8-7) are close behind.
 
NAIA Basketball Scoreboard:
Dalton State 77, Faulkner (AL) 60
Auburn-Montgomery 75, (24) Middle Georgia State 57
(RV) Bethel (TN) 110, (14) William Carey 102
Martin Methodist (TN) 61, Blue Mountain (MS) 54
Campbellsville (KY) 73, Lindsey Wilson (KY) 59
Cumberland (TN) 70, St. Catharine (KY) 55
Florida Memorial 58, Ave Maria (FL) 46

Photo Gallery: