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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

MONTEVALLO – Fresh off snapping a three-game losing streak, the University of Montevallo Falcons doubled up on their recent Gulf South Conference success thanks to a big night from one of their biggest stars.

Montevallo defeated the Mississippi College Choctaws 83-77 on Thursday, Jan. 30 at Central State Bank Arena to sweep the season series as Derek Moore set a new career high with 29 points.

Mississippi College started the game on a 6-2 run and would extend that lead to 11-6 before long. Brandon Fussell helped the Falcons answer to make it a one-possession game before Luke Smith tied the game at 13-13.

The two sides remained tightly matched over the next few minutes, but Montevallo didn’t lead until Moore hit two free throws to give his team a 20-19 lead with 9:05 left in the half. That was part of an 11-0 run to put the Falcons up 26-19.

The Choctaws responded with a 5-0 run to make it a two-point game, but Fussell’s first 3-pointer of the night put Montevallo back up 33-27 with 2:08 remaining until halftime.

After going into halftime with a 35-31 lead, Fussell scored again three minutes into the second half as the Falcons remained in front and in control. However, a big Mississippi College 3-pointer from the corner put the visitors back up with 14:28 remaining.

Smith and Gardner had crucial 3-point plays, Smith’s from behind the arc and Gardner’s the hard way, to give Montevallo a three-point lead with 12:14 left.

The teams then went back and forth before Moore scored six points in an 8-0 run to put the Falcons back up for good with a 61-54 lead with 7:38 to go.

From there, Montevallo extended its lead down the stretch with a layup from Camden Andrews, Moore’s third three-point play of the evening and a challenging shot from Jaylen Curry to put the hosts up double digits.

That paved the way for the Falcons to polish off a five-point win after they were locked in a tight battle for much of the game.

Moore paired his 29 points with 10 rebounds to secure a double-double. Fussell and Curry each scored 15 points with Curry securing seven rebounds and Fussell earning six rebounds and four assists before fouling out.

Max Gardner had 10 points and three rebounds, Andrews finished with eight points and four assists and Smith scored six points in the win.

Montevallo improved to 13-7 overall and 9-5 in GSC play with the win. The Falcons will be back at home on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 4 p.m. against Delta State in another big conference matchup.