FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – The University of Montevallo men’s basketball team opened Peach Belt Conference play Dec. 15 with a 81-71 win over visiting Columbus State University at BankTrust Arena.

Senior Marvin Fitzgerald posted his sixth double-double of the season after scoring 12 points, including an 8-of-14 performance at the free-throw line, and grabbing a game-high 16 rebounds in the victory. Fitzgerald also handed out four assists.

Senior Drico Hightower led Montevallo (5-3 overall, 1-0 in Peach Belt Conference) with 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the floor and a 5-of-8 performance at the charity stripe.

Sophomore Troran Brown contributed 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the floor, including a 3-of-7 performance from beyond the arc. Sophomore Ryan May finished with 16 points on 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc and 7-of-10 shooting from the charity stripe.

Senior Jonas Brown rounded out the Falcons’ starting five in double figures with 12 points.

Off the bench, seniors Travis DeShazior and Jeff Hefner contributed four points and one point, respectively.

A layup by Hightower with 17:19 left in the first half capped a quick 5-2 run to start the game by the Falcons. Montevallo led by as many as six points in the opening half, the last time on a last-second 3-pointer by May just ahead of the buzzer, which sent the Falcons into the locker room at halftime with a 38-32 lead.

Montevallo quickly pushed its lead to double digits in the second half following a layup by Hightower with 17:31 left in the game, which gave the Falcons a 50-39 advantage.

The Falcons led by as many as 19 points down the stretch, 62-43, following a pair of free throws by Jonas Brown with 10:41 remaining. Columbus State cut the deficit to nine points, 79-70, following a jumper by Rory Miller with 38 seconds left but couldn’t get any closer.

Montevallo will travel to Augusta, Ga. to take on Augusta State University in its first road contest in Peach Belt Conference play Dec. 17. Tip off is set for 6:30 p.m. CST.