FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team overcame a second-half deficit and held off the Saints from North Georgia College and State University late in the game to pick up a 62-59 victory in Peach Belt Conference action Feb. 7.

The Falcons (9-12 overall, 4-8 in Peach Belt Conference) were led by freshman Taylor Beverly, who poured in 21 points while grabbing four rebounds and dishing out a pair of assists. Senior Tiffany McClure added 17 points and a team-high eight rebounds. She also had three assists and a pair of steals.

Senior Davia Harris and junior Zena Nasiloski each had seven rebounds, while sophomore Alex Strickland added eight points and five boards.

The Falcons shot 36.1 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range. Montevallo was nearly perfect at the free-throw line, hitting 15-of-17. The Saints shot 38.9 percent from the field and just 18.8 percent from 3-point range. They also hit 70 percent from the free-throw line.

Montevallo forced 16 turnovers by the Saints and used a 16-8 advantage in turnovers to take a 11-4 lead in points off turnovers. The Saints won the rebounding battle, 41-34.

Montevallo began the game on a 11-2 run powered by a trio of Beverly baskets. The Saints answered with a 12-3 run to tie the game at 14. After a Strickland lay-up the Saints then went on a 16-5 run to take a nine-point lead with 1:10 left in the half. Junior Trena Moore-Smith hit a jumper with 16 ticks left on the clock to cut the halftime deficit to just seven and the Saints were unable to answer as the buzzer sounded.

Montevallo trailed by seven for the opening 10 minutes of the second half, but a pair of free throws by Strickland and then a steal from Strickland, which led to a 3-pointer from senior Taylor Welch, cut the lead to just two. McClure hit a lay-up on the next possession to tie the game at 41 with 9:32 to play. With 6:12 left on the clock and the Saints up by one the Falcons began a 10-0 run powered by four points from McClure. The Saints responded with an 8-0 run to cut the lead to just one with 47 seconds left on the clock. A free throw from Nasiloski and a pair from McClure sealed the Falcons victory, 62-59.

The Falcons will return to action this Saturday, Feb. 11 at 4:30 p.m. as they travel to Peach Belt Conference rival Georgia Southwestern State University.