FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team opens its exhibition schedule Oct. 31 on the road at NCAA Division I opponent Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Ala.

Tip-off at the T.M. Elmore Gymnasium is set for 6 p.m.

Following the exhibition game against Alabama A&M, the Falcons will travel to Samford University for their second exhibition game Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Pete Hanna Center.

The Falcons are coming off a fifth?place finish in the Peach Belt Conference West Division. First?year head coach Cindy Hilbrich guided Montevallo to an 11?16 overall record, including a 6?11 mark in the Peach Belt Conference. The Falcons fell to USC Aiken 63?55 in the first round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament last season.

Montevallo returns three starters from last season’s squad.

Sophomore Taylor Beverly leads the group of returnees after pacing the Falcons with an average of 10.6 points per game last season. The 5?foot?10 forward also registered 5.4 rebounds per game and shot 47 percent from the floor a year ago.

Senior Trena Moore?Smith returns at point guard after handing out 74 assists last season. The 5?foot?6 guard also averaged 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. Senior forward Alex Strickland rounds out the group of returning starters. Strickland averaged 3.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game a year ago.

Senior guard Zena Nasiloski is the lead reserve player returning. Nasiloski, who started 12 contests a year ago, finished with an average of 5.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game last season.

The Falcons will open the regular season Nov. 10 on the road at Wingate University in Wingate, N.C.

Montevallo hosts its first home game of the season Nov. 14 against UAH. Tip-off at BankTrust Arena is set for 5:30 p.m.