FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – Montevallo seniors Bryant Orange and Terrell Lipkins scored a combined 53 points to lead the Falcons to an 80-75 win over visiting Columbus State in a battle between two teams tied atop the Peach Belt Conference West Division standings entering the contest.

The Cougars raced out to an early 7-2 lead following a layup by Abren Camaj with 18:15 remaining in the first half. Columbus State led by as many as 11 points in the opening half following a jumper by Cam Baker with 9:36 left in the half, which gave the Cougars a 28-17 advantage.

The Falcons responded with a 22-9 run to end the first half and carried a 39-37 lead into the locker room at halftime following a made three-pointer by Orange in the final minute of the half.

A quick 5-0 run by the Cougars to open the second half gave Columbus State a 42-39 lead. Montevallo responded with a 5-0 run of its own and took the lead for good on a jumper by senior Tevin Worthy with 16:50 remaining in the game, which gave the Falcons a 44-42 lead at the time.

Montevallo led by as many as eight points on two separate occasions in the second half, the last time on a layup by senior Malik Fields with 9:40 remaining in the game. Fields’ basket gave the Falcons a 59-51 lead.

Columbus State responded with a 11-4 run to trim the deficit to 63-62 following a jumper by Brent Jackson with 5:02 remaining in the game.

Lipkins helped the Falcons extend their lead to 71-65 with his layup with 2:28 remaining in the contest. A layup by Baker trimmed the deficit to 73-72 with 1:10 left before the Falcons made 6-of-6 free throws in the final 30 seconds to secure the victory.

STAT OF THE GAME

Montevallo outrebounded the Cougars 42-34 in the contest.

BEYOND THE NUMBERS

Lipkins grabbed a season-high nine rebounds in the win over Columbus State.

The Falcons sit alone on top of the Peach Belt Conference standings with an 11-4 mark in conference play as of Feb. 11.