FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team picked up its second Peach Belt Conference victory in three games Jan. 3 with a 72-66 win over visiting Flagler College at BankTrust Arena.

The Falcons, who shot 53 percent from the floor, improved to 7-5 overall and 2-1 in conference play with the victory.

Sophomore Taylor Beverly led Montevallo with 23 points and 12 rebounds as she posted her team-leading fifth double-double of the season. Beverly finished 11-of-15 from the floor in the win.

Freshman Jacquelyn Thompson added 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor, including a 2-of-3 performance from beyond the arc.

Senior Trena Moore-Smith finished with nine points and a team-high nine assists. Junior Shay Bonner added eight points and six boards, while senior Zena Nasiloski chipped in seven points and 11 rebounds in the win.

Senior Alex Strickland finished with seven points, as well, while freshmen Jasmine Thomas and Katie Colson chipped in two points each.

The Falcons fell behind 8-2 early in the game before a surge late in the first half gave Montevallo a 35-26 lead in the final two minutes of the half. A layup by Nasiloski gave the Falcons a nine-point lead with 1:28 remaining in the half before the Falcons carried a 35-28 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Montevallo stormed out to a double-digit lead in the second half. Montevallo led by as many as 18 points in the second half, the last time following a jumper by Thompson with 9:22 left in the game.

Flagler cut the deficit to 61-60 with 2:34 remaining on a pair of free throws by Latesha Johnson, but the Falcons quickly pushed the lead back to double-digits with a 9-0 run sparked with baskets by Thompson, Moore-Smith and Beverly.

Montevallo returns to action Saturday, Jan. 5 with a Peach Belt Conference contest on the road at Lander University in Greenwood, S.C. Tip off is set for 12:30 p.m. CST.