Published: November 21, 2006 12:10 am      

Cougars suffer first loss of the season

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Justin Barnes’ shot with 11.9 seconds remaining lifted No. 23 Faulkner to a 70-69 upset of No. 4 Mountain State Monday night.

The Cougars had a chance at the end but Paul Wright’s shot was off the mark and Jarvis Jackson couldn’t control the rebound as the ball went out of bounds as time expired.

The loss was the first of the season for Mountain State (6-1). Faulkner improved to 5-0 with the win.

Ralph Legg paced the Cougar attack with 17 points before fouling out and Wright, making his first appearance of the season for the Cougars, responded with 16 points. Ermin Tarzin made his first career start and had 11 points.

Yusef Baker was limited to eight points before fouling out.

The Cougars were just 2-of-16 from beyond the three-point arc.

The game went back-and-forth in the second half, with neither team going up by more than five points.

MSU took the lead briefly, 67-66, on a three-pointer by Wright. After the Eagles turned the ball over with a shot clock violation, Jackson extended the lead with a basket. He had a chance at the three-point play but missed the free throw with 1:40 remaining.

Faulkner cut the lead at the free throw line with 1:17 remaining when Baker fouled out.

The Eagles regained possession and set up what proved to be the winning basket with 11.9 left.

MSU trailed Faulkner 37-35 at the half.

The Cougars return to action Saturday, hosting Cumberland, Ky. at the Raleigh County Armory at 4 p.m.