Montgomery, Ala.- Montgomery, Ala. – Blue Mountain Christian men's basketball went toe-to-toe with Faulkner on Thursday night, trading momentum swings and big-shot answers for nearly 40 minutes before ultimately falling 96–85 in a competitive road contest.
The Toppers came out with confidence, attacking early behind strong perimeter shooting. Gavin Shannon set the tone in the opening half, catching fire for 15 first-half points on his way to a game-high 23 points, including three three-pointers and a perfect 6-for-6 at the line. His scoring helped BMCU stay stride-for-stride through a fast-paced first 20 minutes.
Jamarion Harvey added efficient scoring of his own early, knocking down two threes and finishing the night with 10 points, while the Toppers spread contributions across the lineup to answer each Faulkner push. Michael Hill gave BMCU interior balance, scoring 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting, and Esrael Yant's activity on both ends helped generate timely baskets, including a strong second-half stretch that brought the Toppers within striking distance. Yant finished with 9 points and 2 assists.
Despite Blue Mountain Christian's offensive rhythm—shooting 48.3% from the field and 39.3% from deep—Faulkner continually created second-chance opportunities, outrebounding BMCU and turning key offensive boards into points at crucial moments. Still, the Toppers refused to go away.
A late first-half surge, fueled by back-to-back scores from Shannon and Hill, pulled BMCU within one possession heading into the closing minutes of the period. The Toppers trailed narrowly at the break, 45–44, after one of their most composed halves of the young season.
In the second half, BMCU continued to generate offense. RJ Robinson delivered valuable energy with 9 points and 4 rebounds, while Kam Carter sparked the defensive end, grabbing four steals during a key run that cut the Faulkner lead to single digits midway through the half. Jalen Boyd-Savage also gave the Toppers a lift with 8 points, including a timely three that kept BMCU within reach.
But each time the Toppers threatened to take control, Faulkner answered—largely through paint touches and the free-throw line—gradually building a cushion in the final minutes.
Still, the Toppers showed resolve down the stretch, continuing to move the ball, attack gaps, and create quality shots until the final horn. Their 13 team steals, 11 made threes, and 84% free-throw percentage underscored the competitive fight they brought on the road.
While the game slipped away late, BMCU's offensive production and overall poise offered plenty of encouragement as conference play continues to take shape.
 
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