FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team fell on the road at Clayton State University 78-44 in a Peach Belt Conference contest Feb. 22.

Despite the loss, the Falcons’ postseason hopes still remain alive after North Georgia fell at home to Columbus State.

The Falcons (10-15 overall, 5-11 in Peach Belt Conference) now play a win-or-go-home game against North Georgia on Saturday for the final conference tournament slot in the Peach Belt Conference West Division.

Montevallo was led by senior Tiffany McClure against Clayton State as she scored 15 points and grabbed three rebounds.

Junior Zena Nasiloski added eight points and five rebounds, while freshman Taylor Beverly had seven points and four rebounds. Junior Trena Moore-Smith led the Falcons with five assists.

The Falcons turned the ball over 19 times, while the Lakers had just nine turnovers. Clayton State scored 31 points off of Montevallo’s turnovers, while the Falcons were only able to score four points off of the Lakers’ nine turnovers.

Clayton State jumped out to a quick 16-4 lead and never looked back. Montevallo would get the lead down to eight points just two possessions later but from that point on the lead would never dip below double digits. Clayton State eventually extended its lead to 22 points as the half expired, 40-18.

The Lakers’ largest lead came on its second-to-last basket, as a 3-pointer gave Clayton State a 78-42 advantage. The Falcons hit a jumper with just under a minute to play as the game ended.

The Falcons will return to action this Saturday, Feb. 25 at 1:30 p.m. as they host North Georgia College and State University in a win-or-go-home game for the final conference tournament slot.