HATTIESBURG, Miss. - In a fiercely contested basketball matchup, William Carey emerged victorious with an 88-78 win over Faulkner, showcasing impressive offensive runs and consistent scoring throughout the game.
 
Assistant Coach Phillip McCray said after the game, "Faulkner is a really tough and well coached team. They have size, along with skill, and athleticism. We had been preparing for a dog fight, and they didn't let us down. I'm proud of our boys though. These guys are very consistent in their work habits, and they compete in whatever it is we're doing together. We have seen the results of that hard work on the defensive end as well as the score board. However, we still have a lot to work on, more adjustments to make. and more flaws to correct. I'm looking forward to making the progress."
 
William Carey set the tone early, with Anthony Robinson sinking a 3-pointer just ten seconds into the contest, quickly followed by a layup that gave his team a 5-2 advantage. Randarius Hughes and Makeem Roberts further extended the lead, with Hughes adding a layup and Roberts draining a 3-pointer, establishing a 10-2 lead just three minutes into the game.
 
Faulkner's Tanner Vogel and Gideon quickly responded, but William Carey managed to maintain a comfortable margin, reaching a 21-13 lead midway through the half, thanks to strong contributions from Robinson and Troy Dunn.
 
Refusing to back down, Faulkner steadily chipped away at the deficit. A significant run culminated in the game being tied at 35-35 after Kamal Green's jump shot, with Faulkner briefly taking the lead at 36-35 following Green's subsequent free throw with six minutes left in the half.
 
However, the first half concluded with William Carey reclaiming a narrow lead of 49-45, bolstered by key scores from Malik Franklin, Jamar Jenkins, and Roberts along with a series of defensive rebounds.
 
The second half began with Faulkner's Vogel immediately making a layup, allowing the Eagles to tie the game again at 51-51 with a tip-in. But the Crusaders swiftly responded, launching a crucial scoring spree. Four different Carey players contributed to an offensive push that extended WCU's lead to 62-51 within the first five minutes of play.
 
Despite the Eagles' persistent efforts, including a 3-pointer from Vogel and layups from Francois-Dony Baba and Jordyn Turner-Durley—they struggled to close the gap as Carey's offense remained relentless.
 
The Crusaders continued to apply pressure, with Javeon Gordon and Dunn hitting consecutive 3-pointers and Roberts adding a layup. This surge pushed the lead to 85-68 with just over four minutes remaining.
 
Faulkner fought valiantly in the final minutes, with Baba, Harris, and Vogel scoring late baskets. However, Carey effectively managed the clock and maintained their advantage. Jenkins and Arzika Seibou secured the win with crucial late free throws, ending the game with a final score of 88-78.
 
Anthony Robinson led the Crusaders with 19 points, while Jamar Jenkins added 17 points and Troy Dunn contributed 12. Randarius Hughes recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
 
William Carey will be back in action on Saturday, January 10, as they face Mobile in conference play, with tip-off scheduled for 2:00 PM at Clinton Gym.