Crashing the boards was the secret to the University of Montevallo men’s basketball team snapping a four-game losing streak Saturday. Junior Nate Flowers, a native of Waldorf, Md., grabbed 28 rebounds and broke an eight-year record held by Earl Ike for the most rebounds in a game. Controlling the glass led Montevallo to a 75-55 victory over Columbus State University in the CSU Holiday Tournament.

Flowers had 13 rebounds in the first half and added 15 more in the second half to pass Ike, who set the record with 25 rebounds against the University of West Alabama in 2000.

The Falcons led throughout the game after the Cougars took a 2-0 lead in the opening seconds. UM’s largest lead came at the 2:50 mark of the second half as they held a 27-point advantage.

Flowers added 14 points to his rebounds for a double-double, while junior Freddy Little led in scoring with 20 points off four 3-pointers. Senior Terrill Humphrey chipped in with 17 points and three 3-pointers. Two other Falcons scored in double-figures, as senior Brian Carlyle had 14 points and junior Marcus Lancaster had 10 points.

The Falcons connected on 43.2 percent of their shots and held the Cougars to just 30 percent shooting, including 22 percent from 3-point arc.

Javarus Stewart scored 16 to lead CSU (2-3)

Montevallo (7-7) returns to action Jan. 3 at No. 13 University of Arkansas-Monticello.