The Faulkner State Sun Chiefs built a big early lead and never looked back scoring an 86-67 win oer Wallace in Selma Thursday night.

The Patriots started slow offensively missing on early passes and allowing the Sun Chiefs second chances under the basket.

Before the Patriot offense could get warmed up the Sun Chiefs had a 22-4 lead.

Throughout the game, Patriot head coach Ronald Lane said, the Sun Chiefs experience showed.

“They have a great program and an experienced team and they were able to get on us early,” he said. “Our lack of depth really hurt us and forced us to play from behind early.”

During the final 10 minutes of the opening half the Patriots began to chip away at the lead.

However, the Sun Chiefs continued to hit open shots and entered the locker room with a 39-23 lead.

Down the stretch, the Patriots were slowed when Bryon Dudley, who led the team with 16 points, had to sit with an injury after a hard fall on a block. However, Dudley battled through the pain to return.

Faulkner State opened the second half with a 6-0 lead and continued to make plays and keep the Patriots out of reach.

DeAngelo Norris had 12 points and Charles Knight contributed 10 for the Patriots, who are now 3-15 on the year.

The Wallace women’s team lost a heartbreaker 52-49 to the Lady Sun Chiefs.

The Lady Patriots kept the game close until the final buzzer, but could not take control down the stretch.

Lady Patriot head coach April Harper said the team looked good early, but could never hit overdrive.

“We came out playing great in the first half,” she said. “The defense looked fantastic. We are just going to have to figure out a way to finish strong and win the close games.”

The Lady Patriots, now 4-3 in conference play, were led by Ashley Grimes with 23 points.

Both Patriot teams will be in action again Saturday when they travel to face Chattahoochee Valley in Phenix City.