FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo men’s basketball team trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half at home against Augusta State University, but the Falcons used a dominating second half to take a 74-66 victory Jan. 28 in a Peach Belt Conference contest.

The Falcons (15-5 overall, 6-3 in Peach Belt Conference) were led by freshman Ryan May, who scored 18 points, just two shy of his career high. Junior Drico Hightower added his second double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Antoine Davis returned to form with 15 points, six assists, four rebounds, three steals and a pair of blocks.

Junior Marvin Fitzgerald came up just short of a double-double with eight points and eight boards.

The Falcons bench came up big, outscoring Augusta Stat’s bench 44-25.

The Falcons shot 41.4 percent from the field but hit just 22.2 percent from three-point range. The Jaguars had a tale of two halves, shooting 51.9 percent in the first half and just 26.9 percent in the second half. They were also 66.7 percent from three-point range in the first half and went 0-for-6 in the second half. Both teams shot 66.7 percent from the free throw line.

Montevallo won the rebounding battle 42-33 and both teams turned the ball over 16 times.

Augusta State opened the game with a 15-2 run and looked to be well in control for most of the first half. Montevallo was able to cut the lead to seven with 10:25 left to play in the first but another Augusta State run but the Jags back up by 14 with 7:11 left in the period. With 54 seconds left in the period the Jags hit a layup to go up by 18. Montevallo closed out the period with a 5-0 run which proved to be key factor in the game as they went into halftime down 13 instead of 18.

Montevallo was able to cut Augusta State’s lead by three in the opening five minutes of the second half as the Falcons trailed 44-34 with 14:14 left in the game. Montevallo began a 14-5 run from the point on to cut the lead to just one with 10:15 left in the game. The Jags were able to hang onto the lead until the 6:07 mark when a Travis DeShazior 3-pointer gave Montevallo a 56-55 lead. Montevallo eventually built its advantage to as much as nine points down the stretch. The Jags were able to get within five points in the final minute but a few key free throws gave the Falcons the 74-66 victory.

The Falcons will return to action this Wednesday, Feb. 1 as they travel to Georgia College and State University for a 6:30 tip-off.