FROM STAFF REPORTS

Playing without the services of Peach Belt Conference leading scorer, D.J. Rivera, the University of Montevallo men’s basketball team fell on the road to Georgia College and State University, 67-59, in a conference contest Feb. 1.

The Falcons (15-6 overall, 6-4 in Peach Belt Conference) trailed the entire game and struggled offensively throughout the contest. Montevallo hit just 29.7 percent of its shots from the field and a dismal 11.8 percent from 3-point range.

Montevallo was led by senior Antoine Davis, who scored 19 points and grabbed eight boards, both of which were team highs. Freshman Ryan May chipped in nine points while three others had six points each.

The Bobcats hit 34 percent from the floor and 14.3 percent from 3-point range in an offensively-challenged game. Montevallo won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding the Bobcats 49-42, and outscored GCSU in the paint 34-18.

The Falcons kept it close early but with 17:23 left in the first and the score tied at four the Bobcats went on an 8-0 run to take a 12-4 lead. Montevallo was held to just four points over the opening 10 minutes of the game. Montevallo eventually got on track and was able to cut the Bobcats lead to just three with 3:19 left in the first but another Bobcat run gave GCSU a 28-21 halftime lead.

Montevallo kept it close most of the second half but the Falcons were never able to get the game tied or take the lead in the second stanza. The Bobcats held off the Falcons to take a 67-59 victory at home.

GCSU was led by a quartet of double-digit scorers, including leading point getter Ryan Aquino, who had 18.

The Falcons will return to action this Saturday, Feb. 4 at 3:30 p.m. as they host Clayton State University in Peach Belt Conference Western Division action.