FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo men’s basketball team had the ball trailing by three points with eight seconds remaining on the road at North Georgia College and State University before a turnover sealed the Falcons’ fate in a 68-64 setback in a Peach Belt Conference contest Jan. 24.

Following the turnover, the Saints hit one of two free throws with just one second left on the clock to clinch the victory.

The Falcons (11-5 overall, 4-3 in Peach Belt Conference) were led by junior Miles Beatty, who had 15 points, including three 3-pointers.

Junior DeMarcus Catchings added 11 points and nine rebounds. Junior Antoine Davis chipped in 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Senior Ronald Severtsgaard had eight points and four rebounds.

The Saints took advantage of frequent trips to the free-throw line. Montevallo finished 16-of-23 from the free-throw line, while the Saints hit 28-of-45 attempts from the charity stripe.

Montevallo opened the game with an 11-5 run before the Saints answered with back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game. The Saints held a 30-29 halftime lead.

The Falcons once again got off to a hot start in the second half with a 9-3 run, but the Saints answered once again with a 3-pointer and a jumper to tie the game at 38-38. With just more than five minutes remaining, the Saints led by one point and went on a 9-1 run to take a 60-51 lead with just 2:49 to play. The Saints’ lead eventually grew to 10 points with 37 seconds, but the Falcons never gave up.

A 3-pointer by Beatty cut the lead to four points with 16 seconds left on the clock. Following a free-throw by the Saints, Beatty was fouled on a long 3-point attempt with 10 seconds to play and hit all three of his free throws to cut the lead to two points.

On their next offensive possession, the Saints hit one of two free throws. The Falcons’ final possession was flummoxed by a turnover with two seconds to play.