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Montevallo’s size and athleticism led to several show-stopping dunks in the Bulldogs’ opening-night win against West Blocton. (For the Reporter/Larry Dancy)

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

MONTEVALLO – Behind three double figure scorers, the Montevallo Bulldogs were able to get off to a strong start to the 2019-20 basketball season with a dominant 76-23 victory against West Blocton on Thursday, Nov. 14.

The Bulldogs got a game-high 16 points from Jamarius Carter and double digits from both Kavounte Britton and Kial Cottingham to pull away for the easy opening-night victory.

Montevallo was able to get off to an impressive start in the opening quarter thanks to Carter’s presence in the post. As a returning starter for his senior year and a frame of 6-foot-6, Carter was able to go to work early and put up sight first-quarter points.

He was accompanied by five from Cottingham, while a host of others had two points in a 19-point opening period on the offensive end of the floor. On the defensive end, the intensity level matched. The Bulldogs gave up just three made field goals and one free throw to take a 19-7 lead at the end of the frame.

The second quarter saw more strong play on both ends of the floor, as Montevallo gave up just four more points, which amazingly was only the second best defensive quarter of the game for the Bulldogs.

The offense also put together another impressive performance behind 22 points thanks to four total 3-pointers and six different scorers. Cottingham knocked down two deep balls in the quarter for six points, while Michael Jones also added six points in the period to help Montevallo grab a 41-11 lead at the half.

But the Bulldogs saved their best for the third quarter.

Montevallo was able to score 27 points in the period behind nine different scorers, including at least three from five different players. The defense gave up its most points of any quarter in the game at eight, but by outscoring West Blocton 27-8 in the frame, the Bulldogs extended their lead to 66-19 heading to the final quarter.

In the fourth, Montevallo had its slowest offensive quarter of the game trying to control the clock and end the game, but on the defensive end, the Bulldogs had their best quarter of the game holding West Blocton to just three points to close out the dominant victory.

Cottingham finished the game with 12 points, while Britton had 10 in Montevallo’s win.

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