BAY MINETTE, Ala. - The Faulkner State Community College Sun Chiefs battled back from a 20 point first half deficit but could not make it all the way back, falling 80-74 to visiting Pensacola State Tuesday night. The game was the title contest of the Chuck Stevens Tournament.

Playing before a big crowd at Robertson Arena, Faulkner got as close as two points twice late in the contest but ran out of gas against the Pirates.

Pensacola had beaten Delgado 71-56 in Monday's first semifinal while Faulkner had cruised past Marion Institute 87-59 in the other semifinal.

The loss to Pensacola was Faulkner’s first at home since late in the 2011-2012 season and dropped Coach Jack Robertson’s Chiefs to 4-5 on the year.

In the title game, Pensacola started strong behind the inside play of Leonard Livingston (6’10”) and Rozelle Nix (6’11”). It was 12-4 and then a pair of three pointers from guard Kevin Baker made it 23-6.

FSCC started fighting back with a three from Regan Eubanks and a pair of inside scores from Rafael Adams.

Two inside buckets from Logan Adams and a Deshun Tucker three cut the lead to 36-21.

Another Tucker basket and a three point play from Logan Adams made it 38-27. Tucker sank a long three and just like that it was a ten point game, 40-30, at intermission.

A.J. Roulhac started off the second half with two FSCC driving baskets while Chris Joyner and Josh Milsaps each connected to trim the lead to 44-38.

A three-pointer from Logan Adams and four points from Marcus Johnson along with two more Roulhac layups got FSCC within four at 52-48.

Ronnie Stanley of Faulkner then came off the bench drained a pair of long threes to make it a two point game and Eubanks had a pair of threes to keep it close at 68-65. But the visitors then went on a 9-5 run to lead 77-70. Faulkner could only manage two Roulhac free throws and a Logan Adams rebound basket in the final three minutes to lose by six.

Logan Adams had 14 to lead the Sun Chiefs while Roulhac had 12, Tucker 11, and Rafael Adams 10. Eubanks scored nine, Stanley six and Joyner six and Johnson four. Milsaps added two.

On Monday night, FSCC ran out to a big 39-19 halftime lead against Marion and coasted in for the 28 point win.

Ronnie Stanley’s twelve points led the Chiefs with Rafael Adams adding eleven and Xavier Dortch and Milsaps adding ten each.

FSCC returns to action on Dec. 5, meeting Spring Hill J.V. in Mobile and then play at Marion on Dec. 14.