FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team fell to visiting UNC Pembroke 61-53 in a Peach Belt Conference contest Jan. 21 at BankTrust Arena.

Sophomore Taylor Beverly led the Falcons (11-7 overall, 6-3 in Peach Belt Conference) with 16 points on 8-of-19 shooting from the floor.

Senior Trena Moore-Smith added 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the floor, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. Moore-Smith also dished out a team-high five assists.

Fellow senior Zena Nasiloski chipped in 10 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Nasiloski finished 5-of-10 from the field.

Senior Alex Strickland contributed eight points, four rebounds and three blocks. Junior Shay Bonner finished with five points and four boards.

UNC Pembroke opened the game with a 4-0 run in the first two minutes before the Falcons responded with a 17-5 run to take their largest lead in the opening half. Strickland knocked down a jumper with 6:07 remaining in the half to give Montevallo a 17-9 advantage.

The Braves managed to cut the deficit to two points in the final minute of the first half before Moore-Smith drained a jumper with 12 seconds left in the half to send the Falcons into the locker room at the break with a 21-17 lead.

Montevallo stretched its lead to double digits early in the second half. Beverly knocked down a jumper with 13:47 remaining in the second half to give the Falcons their largest lead in the game, 39-26.

UNC Pembroke quickly took back momentum with a 16-2 run, which gave the Braves their first lead in the second half with just under eight minutes remaining in the game. Moore-Smith drained a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 51-49 with 2:37 left in the game, but the Braves knocked down six free throws in the final two minutes to secure the victory.

Montevallo returns to action Thursday, Jan. 24 with a trip to Columbus, Ga. to face Columbus State University. The Falcons defeated the Cougars 77-65 in their Peach Belt Conference opener Dec. 15.