FROM STAFF REPORTS

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The University of Montevallo men’s basketball team dominated the University of North Georgia in a 73-54 victory on the road Jan. 10, which left the Falcons atop the Peach Belt Conference West Division standings.

Montevallo improved to 8-4 overall and 4-1 in the Peach Belt Conference after handing the Saints their first conference loss of the season.

Sophomore Troran Brown led the Falcons with a career-high 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the floor. Brown added three rebounds, two assists and four steals in the win.

Senior Marvin Fitzgerald, who finished 9-of-16 from the field, flirted with a double-double as he posted 19 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Senior Drico Hightower added 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the floor.

Senior Jonas Brown chipped in seven points and seven rebounds, while sophomore Ryan May contributed six points. Fellow senior Travis DeShazior finished with two points and three rebounds off the bench. Senior Danny Cummins grabbed four rebounds and junior Silas Mills pulled down two boards in the victory.

The Falcons wasted little time taking control in the first half, with a layup by Troran Brown with 17:43 left in the first half capping a 6-1 run by Montevallo to start the game.

Jonas Brown knocked down a 3-pointer with 11:15 remaining in the opening half to give the Falcons a 22-11 lead, their first double-digit lead in the contest. Montevallo led by as many as 19 points in the first half following a 3-pointer by Troran Brown with 6:19 left in the half, which gave the Falcons a 34-15 advantage.

The Falcons carried a 43-26 lead into the locker room at halftime following three free throws by Troran Brown with 35 seconds remaining in the opening half.

Montevallo continued to stretch its lead in the second half, with a jump shot by Fitzgerald less than two minutes into the half giving the Falcons a 47-26 lead.

Montevallo’s largest lead came with 5:44 remaining in the game following a dunk by Fitzgerald, which gave the Falcons a 71-42 advantage.

Montevallo returns to action Saturday, Jan. 12 with a Peach Belt Conference contest on the road at USC Aiken. Tip off is set for 6:30 p.m. CST.