FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team gave Lander University all the Bearcats could handle, but in the end it was the visitors who squeaked by with a two-point victory, 52-50, in a Peach Belt Conference contest Jan. 14.

The Falcons (6-8 overall, 1-4 in Peach Belt Conference) were led by junior Teanna Boxley, who scored 15 points. Senior Shavonne Seymore added 10 points, while senior Davia Harris chipped in eight points and a team high-14 rebounds.

Senior Tiffany McClure had nine points, seven rebounds and five assists. She also led the team with three steals.

The Falcons and Bearcats struggled from the field as Montevallo hit 33.9 percent of its shots, while Lander hit 32.8 percent. Montevallo won the rebound battle 45-37.

The first half was back-and-forth with Lander taking the early lead and the Falcons leading the middle part of the period. Montevallo’s largest lead was three points which happened several times during the period while the Bearcats were able to build up a five point lead. Lander’s five-point lead came with 1:27 left on the clock as Brittni Johnson hit a three. The Falcons answered with a Boxley jumper and then a late turnover by Kami Phillips of Lander led to a three-quarters court heave from McClure which found the bottom of the net as time expired to tie the game at 25 at half.

Montevallo took the early lead in the second half but a 9-2 run by the Lady Bearcats gave Lander a 41-35 lead with 12:16 left in the game. Montevallo quickly cut the lead to just one but was unable to overtake the Bearcats until the 2:54 mark when a layup by Harris gave Montevalloa 48-47 lead.

After a jumper from Janyce Ealey of Lander, McClure hit a pair of free throws to take a 50-49 lead with 20 seconds left on the clock. After a quick Montevallo foul the Bearcats inbounded the ball to Brittni Johnson. Johnson drove into the lane and quickly found NCAA 3-point leader Jasmine Judge on the wing. Judge hit a three with three seconds left on the clock to put the Bearcats up by two.

Montevallo was unable to get off a shot in the final seconds as the Bearcats took the contest, 52-50.

The Falcons will return to action Thursday, Jan. 19 at 4:30 p.m. as they travel to Armstrong Atlantic State University for another Peach Belt Conference contest.