FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team used a late first half run to take a 10-point lead into halftime over host Flagler College, but had to hold off a surging Saints squad late in the second half to win 58-55 in a Peach Belt Conference contest Jan. 21.

The Falcons (7-9 overall, 2-5 in Peach Belt Conference) were led by a trio of seniors, including Davia Harris, Tiffany McClure and Shavonne Seymore. Harris scored 14 points while McClure and Seymore each chipped in 11.

Harris added five rebounds to her total while McClure tied for the team lead with seven and Seymore had six. Junior Zena Nasiloski added eight points and seven rebounds.

The Falcons shot 41.1 percent from the field and took the victory without converting a three-point attempt. The Saints shot 36.1 percent from the field and 13.3 percent from three-point range. Montevallo struggled from the free throw line hitting just 57.1 percent from the charity stripe while Flagler was 81.8 percent.

Flagler opened the game with a 5-0 run but Montevallo quickly took the lead with six-straight points. Both teams traded the lead throughout the first half but with 5:17 left and the score tied at 17 the Falcons began a 13-3 run to take a 30-20 lead into halftime. Montevallo’s final six points in the period came off the hands of Nasiloski.

The Saints began the second half with a 12-4 run to cut Montevallo’s lead to just two with 16:28 left to play. Montevallo would hold off the Saints until the 8:50 mark when a Flagler jumper gave the Saints a 45-44 lead. Montevallo and Flagler would bat the lead back and forth over the next few minutes but a 4-0 run gave Montevallo a 57-53 lead with 1:36 left in the game. Flagler was able to cut the lead to just two but a late free throw gave the Falcons a 58-55 victory.

The Falcons will return to action Thursday, Jan. 26 at 5:30 p.m. as they host No. 11 USC-Aiken in a Peach Belt Conference contest. The game also marks the first time head coach Cindy Hilbrich will battle her former team where she served as an assistant coach for four seasons.