FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – The University of Montevallo men’s basketball team defeated visiting University of West Florida in a physical battle Dec. 8 in its final non-conference contest at BankTrust Arena.

The Falcons, who shot 51 percent from the floor and 76 percent from the charity stripe, improved their record to 4-3 heading into Peach Belt Conference play with the win.

Sophomore Ryan May led Montevallo with 21 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor and 6-of-6 shooting from the free-throw line in the victory.

Senior Marvin Fitzgerald and sophomore Troran Brown added 13 points each. Fitzgerald, who finished 5-of-10 from the floor, also grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds to post his team-leading fifth double-double of the season.

Senior Jonas Brown added nine points. Senior Drico Hightower added eight points, while fellow senior Danny Cummins contributed three points off the bench.

The Falcons, who led the entire game, raced out to a 12-6 lead following a pair of free throws by Hightower with 14:45 remaining in the opening half. Jonas Brown knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Falcons their largest lead in the opening half, 35-22, with 50 seconds remaining in the half.

West Florida cut the Falcons’ lead to 35-29 following a jumper by Nate Johnson with 17:14 left in the game, but Montevallo quickly responded with a 5-0 run following a jumper by Fitzgerald and a 3-pointer by Troran Brown to push its lead back to double digits.

West Florida closed the deficit to 53-48 following a pair of free throws by Terrence Beasley before the Falcons responded with a 3-pointer by Troran Brown with 1:14 remaining, which gave Montevallo breathing room down the stretch.

The Falcons return to action Saturday, Dec. 15 as they take on Columbus State University in their Peach Belt Conference opener. Tip off is set for 3:30 p.m.