FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team picked up a 65-54 victory in its season opener Nov. 12 against the University of North Alabama at home.

The win marked the first in head coach Cindy Hilbrich’s career as she made her debut on the Montevallo sideline.

Montevallo (1-0) was led by senior Shavonne Seymore, who scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds as she hit 7-of-9 field goals from the field.

Junior Teanna Boxley and senior Tiffany McClure each chipped in 13 points. Boxley had six rebounds and three steals to add to her points while McClure had five rebounds and a team-high four assists.

Senior Davia Harris came up just short of a double-double as she had nine points and nine rebounds. Junior Zena Nasiloski shared the rebounding lead with eight boards and she added four points.

The Falcons held the Lions to just 29.0 percent shooting from the field while UM hit 43.1 percent of its shots. The Falcons struggled at the free throw line hitting just 50.0 percent of their attempts but Montevallo hit seven of its final 10 free throws at the end of the game to hold the Lions at bay.

UNA hit the first basket of the game but that would be the only lead they would hold all night as the Falcons answered with a 6-0 run and never looked back. Montevallo’s biggest first half lead came on a McClure jumper which gave the Falcons a 24-13 advantage with 6:47 left to play in the period. The Lions cut the lead to seven at halftime as the Falcons led 27-20 at the break.

Early in the second the Lions were able to cut the lead to two at 31-29 but Montevallo would not go down as they quickly rebuilt a nine point lead off a free throw from senior Taylor Welch at 40-31. The Falcons would hold the lead around the nine-point mark for the rest of the game as Montevallo ended the period with a 65-54 advantage.

The Falcons will return to action Tuesday, Nov. 15 as they host the University of West Georgia at 5:30 p.m.