FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo men’s basketball team rolled over Clayton State University at home 80-68 in a Peach Belt Conference victory Feb. 4.

The Falcons (16-6 overall, 7-4 in Peach Belt Conference) trailed for just two minutes the entire game after Clayton State opened the game with a 3-pointer, but a quick 9-0 run by the Falcons put Montevallo in the lead for good.

Montevallo was led by senior Antoine Davis and junior Drico Hightower, who each came up just short of a double-double. Davis had 20 points and nine assists, while Hightower had 20 points and nine boards.

Senior DeMarcus Catchings also came up just short of a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds. Senior D.J. Rivera added 17 points as well.

The Falcons shot 47.3 percent from the field while holding Clayton State to 37.1 percent. Both teams shot just over 38 percent from 3-point range while Montevallo held the advantage at the free throw line with 74.2 percent compared to CSU’s 68.2 percent.

Montevallo’s bench outscored the Lakers bench 32-9 and the Falcons outrebounded the Lakers 41-35.

After the game-opening three the Falcons went on a 9-0 run to take a 9-3 lead. The Lakers were able to cut the lead to just two with 7:03 left in the in the half. Montevallo quickly responded gaining another eight-point lead but the Lakers again made a comeback cutting the lead to two with 4:42 left. UM immediately responded with a 9-0 run to take a 33-22 lead with just 1:40 to play. A half court three-pointer as time expired ended a 9-2 run by the Lakers to cut the halftime lead to 35-31.

Montevallo held the Lakers off the entire second half as they held an eight to ten point lead the entire period. The closest the Lakers would get would be four points midway through the second half but a 9-2 run by the Falcons ended any shot of the comeback.

The Falcons will return to action this Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. as they travel to PBC Western Division rival North Georgia College and State University.