FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team ended its recent struggles with a 73-68 victory over visiting Columbus State University in a Peach Belt Conference contest Feb. 2.

The Falcons (8-11 overall, 4-6 in Peach Belt Conference) received strong efforts from a number of players, including senior Jessica Collins, who led the team with 16 points. Collins finished a perfect 2-of-2 from 3-point range.

Junior Tiffany McClure added an all-around effort with 14 points, seven rebounds, five steals and four assists.

Junior Davia Harris had 12 points, six boards and three steals. Junior Taylor Welch chipped in 11 points, including three 3-pointers. Senior Carrie Parrott added eight points and five boards, while junior Shavonne Seymore led the team in rebounding with nine boards. Seymore also had seven points.

Montevallo forced 22 Columbus State turnovers, which turned into 34 points for the Falcons. Montevallo also won the rebounding battle 41-36.

The Falcons missed their first shot of the game before hitting their next six shots, including a pair of free throws, and racing out to an 11-2 lead 3:43 into the contest.

The Cougars cut into the deficit with an 8-0 run to pull themselves within one point, 11-10, with 14:21 on the clock left in the first half.

Montevallo countered while scoring the next five points of the game before Columbus State rattled off a 14-0 run midway through the first half to give the visitors a 24-16 edge with 9:26 remaining.

The back-and-forth half continued as the Falcons threw the next punch with a 20-5 run late in the opening half. Seven different players scored for Montevallo during the run, including five points by Collins, to give the Falcons a 36-29 lead with 1:32 to go in the opening half.

Columbus State countered with the final blow, outscoring Montevallo 8-0 over the final minute and a half to take a one-point lead into the break.

Montevallo began the second half firing on all cylinders to regain the lead at 50-41 with a 14-4 surge early in the half.

Columbus State countered with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to just two points with 12:06 left in the game.

Montevallo quickly responded and pushed its lead back up to nine points, 59-50, midway through the second half.

With the score 65-56 in favor of Montevallo, the Cougars made one final push. A 10-4 run cut the Falcons’ lead to 69-66 with 51 seconds left in the game. Columbus State then went cold, missing its next four shooting attempts, which sealed the game for the Falcons.