Dalton State saw a 10-point halftime lead evaporate quickly in the second half, but held on for a 70-69 win over Faulkner (Ala.) at Tyne Davis Gymnasium in Montgomery, Ala. on Saturday evening.
The Roadrunners would control much of the first half, going up for good at the 11:25 mark after a Reed Dungan basket. Dalton State would gradually extend the lead, growing it to as much as 11 with 2:48 left in the half. Faulkner would cut the Roadrunner lead to seven with five seconds left on the clock, but Dalton State would inbound to Isaiah Box who would get off a shot and find the net from half court before the buzzer sounded to give Dalton State a 10 point advantage at the half, 35-25.
Dalton State would extend the lead to 12 within the first minute of the second half, but the Eagles would begin to chip away.
Back-to-back three's from Logan Jozwiak would cut the deficit to two with 15:26 remaining. The two opponents would trade buckets for the next 10 minutes with Dalton State continuing to hold the lead.
Faulkner would tie the game at 58-58 after two Jozwiak free throws, but a lightening quick 6-0 run from the Roadrunners would pull the lead back out. Faulkner would not quit, battling back with three more baskets from long range to take a one point lead with 15 seconds left on the clock.
From there it was up to Reed Dungan. The senior showed off his ball skills, driving to the hoop and putting a shot off the glass that found the bottom of the net and gave Dalton State the one point lead with five seconds on the clock. A last ditch effort from Faulkner would come up short as Dalton State came away with a 70-69 win.
Dalton State improves to (19-4 overall, 11-1 SSAC) with the win, while Faulkner (Ala.) falls to (15-7 overall, 7-4 SSAC) with the loss. Carnilious Simmons led the way with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Isaiah Box added 19 points of his own to go along with three assists. Reed Dungan had an uncharacteristically quiet night with only four points, but came up big when the team needed him with the game winning basket.
Logan Jozwiak led the way for the Eagles with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Rene Scott added 17 points, while Sean Edwards contributed with 10 points.
#11 Dalton State will hit the road, traveling to Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, February 8 for a key SSAC matchup with #17 William Carey. Tip-Off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (CST).