FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team picked up its first Peach Belt Conference victory of the season Jan. 9 over Francis Marion University on the road, 67-57.

The Falcons held the Patriots to just 26.9 percent shooting while connecting on 42.5 percent of their own shots.

Montevallo (6-7 overall, 1-3 in Peach Belt Conference) had five players reach double-figures while holding Francis Marion to just one point.

Senior Tiffany McClure led the way with 15 points while hitting 13-of-16 from the free throw line. Senior Shavonne Seymore added 13 points and eight rebounds.

Junior Zena Nasiloski and freshman Taylor Beverly each had 12 points and eight rebounds, while junior Teanna Boxley had 10 points.

Montevallo earned 44 trips to the free throw line and took advantage making 72.7 percent of their attempts, while Francis Marion had just 28 attempts and made just 64.3 percent.

The first half was a highly-contested battle with neither team taking much of a lead. The Falcons held the largest advantage of the first half with a eight-point lead at the 1:46 mark as Nasiloski hit a free throw to put Montevallo up 30-22. The Patriots were able to battle back in the final minute to cut the lead to just four at the halftime break.

Montevallo jumped out to an 11-point lead in the opening minutes of the second half and never looked back. The Patriots were able to cut the lead to just two at the 4:43 mark but a jumper and free throw by Beverly put the Falcons back up by five on the very next possession. Free throws down the stretch increased the Falcons lead to 10 as Montevallo cruised to a 67-57 victory.

The Falcons will return to action Saturday, Jan. 14 at 1:30 p.m. as they host Lander University in another Peach Belt Conference contest.