The 18th-ranked University of Montevallo men’s basketball team (15-2, 5-2 PBC) suffered just its second loss this season at the hands of Georgia College and State University (13-2, 6-0 PBC) 61-52. The Falcons gave up 20 turnovers compared to GCSU’s eight and shot just 21.4 percent from three-point range in the contest.

UM was led by senior Freddy Little (Raleigh, N.C./Bunn) who had 14 points. Junior Cecil Coleman (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Bay Tech) had 10 points and nine rebounds while senior Gerald January (Macon, Ga./Westside) had 10 boards and four points. Senior Mark Plaza (San Diego, Calif./Chula Vista) had 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

GCSU used a 17-6 advantage in points off turnovers to pull away late in the second half.

The Falcons jumped out to a quick 18-11 lead over the first eight minutes but a 10-3 run by the Bobcats over the next five minutes tied the game at 21. Tied 23-23 with 3:50 to play in the first half the Falcons went on an 11-4 run powered by five points from Little to take a 34-27 lead into halftime.

GCSU opened up the second half with six unanswered points to cut the Falcons lead to one but UM would not give up its slight advantage. Up 46-45 with 6:06 remaining in the game the Falcons gave up a 9-0 run to the Bobcats over the three minutes which put the Falcons in an eight-point hole. UM was able to cut that lead to just five points with 49 seconds left but that would be as close as they would come. The Falcons fell 61-52.

The No. 18 Falcons will return to action Friday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. as they host UNC Pembroke in another key Peach Belt Conference contest. The Braves are 6-12 overall and 2-7 in Peach Belt Conference action.

WOMEN

The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team (10-7, 3-4 PBC) fell in the final minutes of a tough Peach Belt Conference match-up with Georgia College and State University (12-4, 5-1 PBC). UM and GCSU battled the entire game which featured 17 lead changes and 10 tie scores. The Falcons were led by senior Alicia Lewis (Youngsville, La./Comeaux) who had 12 points, four assists and six rebounds.

Junior Shan Jones (Hartselle, Ala./Hartselle) chipped in 11 points and four rebounds while junior Tiaren Young (Forestdale, Ala./Minor) had 10 points and seven boards. Senior Amanda Scott (Cullman, Ala./West Point) and junior Carrie Parrott (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Siegel) each had eight points and seven boards to round out the offensive leaders.

The Falcons shot 37.1 percent from the floor and hit only 19.0 percent of their shots from three-point range. The Bobcats shot 41.7 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from downtown.

The Falcons took the early 2-0 lead but quickly fell behind as GCSU went on a 11-3 run. After a layup from Young and a three from Jones the lead was cut to just one at 11-10 with 13:45 remaining. Both teams battled for the next seven minutes until the Falcons used a 6-0 run to take a 26-22 lead with 4:43 left in the half. UM was unable to maintain its lead down the stretch as they two teams went into halftime tied at 30.

The second half was much like the first with neither team gaining much of an advantage. With 7:09 left in the half and the Falcons down two, UM went on a 8-2 run to take a four-point lead. The Falcons led 59-56 with 3:27 left but were unable to hit a shot in the final three minutes as GCSU went on to outscore the Falcons 7-0 and take a 63-59 victory.

The Falcons will look to rebound from the loss with a home game this Friday, Jan. 29 at 5:30 p.m. as they take on UNC-Pembroke. The Lady Braves are 10-8 on the season and 4-5 in Peach Belt Conference play.