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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – In a matchup that saw plenty of momentum shifts, the Montevallo Bulldogs managed to squeak by the Calera Eagles 51-48 on Tuesday night thanks to a buzzer-beater from Dee Cutts.

Keiston Ross led the way for the Bulldogs, scoring 15 points in the game. Cutts added in 11 to lead the Bulldogs to victory, as Ross and Cutts were the only players for Montevallo to score in double figures.

On the other side, the tandem of Darian Hamilton and Devyn Goodman combined for 12 and 11 points, respectively, combining for nearly half of Calera’s offensive output.

Calera outscored Montevallo 17-12 in the first quarter. Goodman had five points, while Hamilton had four points.

For Montevallo, Nahjear Russell struggled from the free-throw line, going 1-for-6, while Dee Cutts scored six of his 11 points in the opening quarter, keeping the Bulldog offense afloat and in the game.

The second quarter saw Calera extend their lead, as they headed to halftime with a 28-24 lead. Montevallo managed to outscore the Eagles 12-11 in the period, as Keiston Ross scored four in the quarter to lead a balanced offensive attack.

No player for Calera had more than three points in the second quarter, and those three points came via a Byrant Waites 3-pointer.

The third quarter proved to be the decider in this tight contest. Montevallo outscored Calera 16-9 in the period as Ross warmed up with seven points. Ross also had six trips to the free throw line in the quarter, going 50% from the stripe.

Calera’s offense cooled off in the period as Darian Hamilton failed to convert at a high percentage from the free throw line, going 1-for-4.

Headed into the fourth, the score was 40-37, with Montevallo up by three. Both teams went toe-to-toe during the final stretch and matched each other’s offensive output.

Buck Ross, who had been quiet most of the game, led the Bulldogs with 4 points in the closing period. Darian Hamilton scored three of his five points in the quarter from the free-throw line, finishing with 12 for the game.

That left the game tied up with just seconds remaining and the Bulldogs possessing the ball.

With Keiston taking the ball off the inbounds, Cutts took advantage of a switch and got open in the right corner. He put up a 3-pointer as time expired, arcing the ball over the Calera defender who was closing out and hitting nothing but net to spark the celebration.