FROM STAFF REPORTS

AMERICUS, Ga. – The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team defeated Georgia Southwestern State University 92-83 in overtime on the road in Peach Belt Conference play Jan. 16.

The Falcons (10-6 overall, 5-2 in Peach Belt Conference) erased a three-point deficit with just more than two minutes remaining in regulation, with junior Shay Bonner knocking down 1-of-2 free throws with three seconds left to send the game into overtime. Following a basket by the Hurricanes in the first 30 seconds of overtime, the Falcons responded with a 11-0 run to seal the victory.

Sophomore Taylor Beverly led Montevallo with 22 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the floor in the victory. Beverly also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds as she posted her third consecutive double-double, which marked her seventh double-double of the season.

Senior Trena Moore-Smith added 14 points and a game-high nine assists. Bonner chipped in 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the floor and a 5-of-7 performance at the charity stripe. Senior Zena Nasiloski rounded out the quartet of double-figure scorers for the Falcons with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field.

Freshmen Jasmine Newsome and Jacquelyn Thompson finished with five points each. Fellow freshmanJasmine Thomas contributed four points, while seniors Alex Strickland and Carolyn Taite added two points each.

Georgia Southwestern opened the contest with a 4-1 run, but the contest remained tight throughout regulation. The Falcons’ largest lead came with 7:06 remaining in the first half following a pair of free throws by Nasiloski, which capped a 9-0 run by Montevallo midway through the opening half and gave the visitors a 27-20 lead.

The Hurricanes managed to trim the deficit to 33-32 heading into the locker room at halftime. Georgia Southwestern opened the second half with a 5-0 run to take its largest lead in the game, 37-33, following a jumper and a 3-pointer by Jasmine McSwain in the first minute of the half.

Montevallo used a 6-0 run minutes later, capped with a layup by Bonner with 15:50 remaining in regulation, to take a 49-43 lead early in the second half. The two teams traded the lead several times down the stretch before a layup by Shaniece Sheffield gave the Hurricanes a 75-72 lead with 2:16 left in the game.

Moore-Smith and Bonner each knocked down a pair of free throws and Bonner scored a basket to give the Falcons a 78-75 advantage with just 1:08 remaining before a free throw by McSwain on the heels of a 3-pointer by Kayla Dayton gave the Hurricanes a 79-78 lead. Bonner tied the game at 79-79 with a free throw with three seconds remaining before Montevallo ran away from the Hurricanes in overtime.

The Falcons improved to 2-0 in overtime games this season with the victory. Montevallo is 3-0 all-time in overtime games under second-year coach Cindy Hilbrich.

Montevallo returns to action Saturday, Jan. 19 with a Peach Belt Conference game against Francis Marion University at BankTrust Arena. Tip off is set for 1:30 p.m.