FROM STAFF REPORTS

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The University of Montevallo women’s basketball team picked up a 50-43 win on the road at Georgia College in a Peach Belt Conference contest Feb. 23 to tie the mark for most victories in a season in the program’s NCAA Division II history.

The victory tied the mark for the most win in a season since the Falcons (16-11 overall, 11-7 in Peach Belt Conference) became a full-fledged member of NCAA Division II prior to the 1996-1997 season. Montevallo won 16 games on its way to a 16-13 record during the 2004-2005 season.

Sophomore Taylor Beverly led Montevallo with 19 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the floor. Beverly also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds in the win.

Senior Zena Nasiloski added eight points and six boards. Fellow senior Trena Moore-Smith chipped in seven points and four rebounds to go along with a team-high six assists. Freshman Jacquelyn Thompson finished with six points off the bench.

Senior Alex Strickland contributed four points, while junior Shay Bonner and freshman Jasmine Newsome finished with three points each.

Beverly scored a pair of baskets in the first two minutes of the contest to give the Falcons an early 4-2 lead.

Georgia College responded with a 13-4 run, capped with a pair of free throws by Enisha Donley, to take a 15-8 advantage with 10:01 remaining in the opening half. Montevallo responded with a 9-4 run of its own, capped with a 3-pointer by Jasmine Newsome with 5:53 left in the half, which cut the deficit to 19-17.

The Falcons trimmed the deficit to 23-22 following a layup by Beverly with 3:56 remaining in the first half before the Bobcats carried a 25-23 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Georgia College pushed its lead to 32-25 early in the second half with a 7-2 run to start the half, capped with a layup by Shanteona Keys with 16:06 remaining in the game.

Montevallo responded with a 11-2 run to take control of the game. Thompson capped the run with a 3-pointer, which gave the Falcons a 36-34 advantage, their first lead since the opening minutes of the game.

Following a basket by the Bobcats, the Falcons went on a 7-0 run to stretch their lead to 43-36 with 6:10 remaining in the game. Beverly capped the run with a layup.

Montevallo led by as many as nine points down the stretch following a 3-pointer by Moore-Smith, which gave the Falcons a 48-39 lead with 3:54 left. The nine-point lead proved to be enough cushion down the stretch.

Montevallo returns to action Saturday, March 2 in its final regular season game against Peach Belt Conference newcomer Young Harris College at Trustmark Arena.The Falcons defeated the Mountain Lions 72-61 in the first meeting between the two teams this season.

The Falcons will celebrate the careers of Alex Strickland, Trena Moore-Smith, Zena Nasiloski and Carolyn Taite during Senior Day festivities.

Tip off is set for 1:30 p.m.