FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo men’s basketball team opened the 2011-2012 season in impressive fashion Nov. 11 as the Falcons blasted Mars Hill College 114-77 at the Peach Belt Conference/South Atlantic Conference Challenge.

Senior D.J. Rivera scored the fourth most points scored in a single game in program history since Montevallo joined the NCAA with 37 points. It was his debut as a Falcon and he did not disappoint as he passed Marcus Kennedy’s 35 point outburst against Arkansas-Monticello back in 2006. Rivera also broke the single-game record for most field goals made with 16, which passed the previous record of 15 held by both Freddy Little and Greg Brown.

As a team, the Falcons put up the highest point total since a 150-point performance against Carver Bible in 2007.

Rivera was 16-of-27 from the field with a pair of 3-pointers. He went a perfect 3-of-3 at the free-throw line and added four steals and a rebound to his list. Senior Antoine Davis added 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds. He also led the team in steals and assists with six and five, respectively.

Junior Jonas Brown, senior Jervan Jackson and junior Drico Hightower all chipped in 12 points. Brown was 4-of-8 from the field and was a perfect 4-of-4 at the free throw line. Jackson was 6-of-8 from the field and added six rebounds while Hightower went 6-of-7 from the floor with five rebounds.

The Falcons shot 59.3 percent from the field while hitting just 11.8 percent from beyond the three-point arc. They were also an impressive 16-of-19 from the charity stripe.

Montevallo held Mars Hill to 38.5 percent shooting and kept them at bay despite giving up 38 free throws. Montevallo dominated in the paint, outscoring the Lions 82-20. The Falcons also used a 38-6 fast break advantage to pull away in the second half.

The Falcons will now take on Brevard in their second game of the PBC-SAC Challenge in Dahlonega, Ga.