Falcons cold in Winter Classic

Published 12:01 am Monday, December 8, 2008

The University of Montevallo came up short in its Winter Classic on Friday and Saturday, falling twice at home.

A 67-53 loss to No. 23 University of Arkansas-Monticello (8-0), started the skid Friday. Montevallo managed to the tie the game, 15-15, with 10 minutes to play in the opening half, but struggled with 31.3 percent shooting all night and could never take the lead, while the Boll Wheevils shot an even 50 percent.

The Falcons fell to 6-5 on the year Saturday, losing a rematch to Flagler College (4-6), 70-66. Flagler’s strength came from the bench, as Jon Henderson scored a game-high 36 points, missing only two shots in the game.

UM found itself up 7-5 just five minutes into the game but Flagler quickly went on a 9-0 run to open up a lead. Trailing by seven with 9:01 left in the first half, the Falcons responded with a 6-0 run of their own to cut the lead to a point, but Flagler went on a 13-1 run to lead by 13 before UM cut the lead to 31-24 at the half.

Montevallo opened the second half by pulling within a point of the Saints, but Flagler would not let the lead slip until the Falcons took a slim two-point lead with eight minutes to play. The Saints held on for the four-point win.

Nate Flowers led Montevallo both nights, scoring a season-high 18 points Friday and 16 points Saturday. He had 14 rebounds in the tournament. Freddy Little followed with 16 points Friday, while Brian Carlyle was the No. 2 scorer for UM on Saturday with 15 points and two blocks. Terrill Humphrey had 13 points Saturday on 5-of-7 shooting.

The Falcons travel to Delta State University on Saturday at 7 p.m. Delta State beat Montevallo, 99-87, Nov. 24.