PULASKI, Tenn. – The No. 19 Martin Methodist Women's Basketball team closed out 2017 with an 86-68 victory over Faulkner (Ala.) University Monday afternoon in the Curry Christian Life Center.

The RedHawks (11-4, 2-0 SSAC) notched their second conference win in as many tries before the end of the calendar year. The RedHawks started the month with a 43-42 victory over Bethel (Tenn.) University and ended the month with a nearly 20-point victory.

The win offered a small bit of revenge for the RedHawks, who suffered a one-point overtime loss to Faulkner in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament last season.

Five players finished in double-figures for the RedHawks, who shot 42.4 percent from the floor and led by as many as 28 in the second half.

Jemia Carpenter and Mickey Head scored 17 apiece to pace the RedHawks down low. Guards Destiney Williams and Brooklyn Blanchard scored 16 and 13 each. Lacey Reed accounted for 12 of the team's 18 points off the bench.

As a team, the RedHawks handed out 19 assists – 14 of which came in the first half – as the squad amassed a 46-28 lead at the break.

The second half saw the visitors creep back into the contest, but the RedHawks forced 15 second-half turnovers and never saw their lead dip back under double-digits.

Nicole Shirley led the Eagles (13-2, 2-2 SSAC) with 18 points – 16 of which came in the second half.

With the win, the RedHawks maintained sole possession of second place in the SSAC standings. Only Loyola, due to its three conference victories and 3-0 league record, is ranked ahead of the RedHawks.

The RedHawks will now rest up and enjoy some time off during the holiday season before they play the remaining 15 games of their regular-season schedule.

The RedHawks will break until Jan. 4 when they travel to Hattiesburg, Mississippi for a showdown versus third-place William Carey University.