FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team used a commanding run in the second half to post a 69-61 come-from-behind victory over visiting Shorter University in a non-conference game Dec. 6 at BankTrust Arena.

The Falcons closed the game with a 27-8 run in the final eight minutes, which helped erase a 14-point deficit in the second half. Montevallo turned up its defensive intensity, forcing 10 turnovers in the second half, while turning the ball over just twice in the final 20 minutes.

Junior Shay Bonner led Montevallo (4-4) with a career-high 27 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field and a 10-of-11 performance at the free-throw line. Bonner, who missed her final free-throw attempt with 15 seconds left in the game, shot 90.9 percent from the charity stripe, which places her second in the school record book for the highest free-throw percentage in a single game.

Sophomore Taylor Beverly, who finished 7-of-11 from the field and 3-of-4 from the charity stripe, added 17 points and a team-high seven rebounds in the win. Junior Alexsis Brown contributed six points, while senior Carolyn Taite chipped in five points and four rebounds. Senior Zena Nasiloski finished with four points and four rebounds.

Senior Trena Moore-Smith, who finished with three points and four rebounds, dished out a team-high six assists. Senior Alex Strickland added three points, three rebounds and four assists.

The Falcons used a 7-0 run early in the opening half, capped with a 3-pointer by Strickland, to jump out to a 13-6 lead with 12:54 remaining in the first half. Montevallo took its largest lead in the first half, 19-10, following a 3-pointer by Bonner with 7:25 left in the half. Shorter closed the first half with a 4-0 run to send the teams into the locker room at halftime tied at 24-24.

Shorter went on a 16-3 run early in the second half, capped with a pair of free throws by Chelsi Matthews with 12:31 remaining , which gave the Hawks their largest lead in the game, 45-31.

The Falcons chipped away at the double-digit deficit midway through the second half, which included Bonner scoring 10 of the team’s 12 points in one stretch. Bonner’s scoring run helped Montevallo turn the double-digit deficit into a 60-55 lead with 3:05 remaining in the game.

Montevallo knocked down 5-of-7 free throws in the final minute to secure the victory.

The Falcons close out the non-conference portion of their schedule Dec. 8 with a trip to the University of West Alabama. Tip off is set for 2 p.m.

Montevallo then takes a week off before opening Peach Belt Conference play Dec. 15 at home at BankTrust Arena against Columbus State University. Tip off is set for 1:30 p.m.