Falcons Survive Double-Overtime Thriller, 103-98

MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The University of Montevallo men's basketball team (14-12, 5-4 GSC East) had the privilege of watching a two-man show in regulation courtesy of juniors Freddy Little (Raleigh, North Carolina) and Gerald January (Macon, Georgia). The two combined for 27 of the Falcons 31 first half points and then scored 29 of UM's 38 points in the second. Junior Nate Flowers (Waldorf, Maryland) then took off in overtime scoring all 21 of his points in the extra periods.

Little ended his day with a season-high, career-high 40 points and just three shy of the Montevallo record for points in a game. January chipped in a career-high 24 points and 16 rebounds for a huge double-double. Flowers had 21 points, all in overtime and three assists. Also having a strong performance was senior Terrill Humphrey (St. Augustine, Florida) who scored 15 points and hit a three with just 1.7 seconds remaining in regulation to push the game to overtime.

The Falcons opened up the game taking a slim lead and quickly built it up to seven as they led 20-13 at the 11:31 mark. The Wolves responded with a 20-7 run to give themselves a six-point lead with just 2:47 left in the first. They hung on the final two and a half minutes to take a 37-31 lead into halftime.

In the second half the Wolves took control early and built up a nine-point tlead which they held for most of the half. With 6:39 left in regulation the Falcons went on a 10-0 run sparked by five points from January and capped off by a three from senior Andre McMillan (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). The game was now in the Falcons control 64-63 but the Wolves would not go down that easy. With just 21 seconds remaining the Wolves hit a jumper to give themselves a three-point lead. The Falcons set-up their game-tying play and could not get off the shot they wanted and a three pointer fell short but January was there for the rebound and called a timeout with 1.7 seconds left on the clock.

The inbounds went straight to senior Terrill Humphrey who did what he has been doing his entire career at Montevallo. He took the inbound and went straight up and drained the three with no time left on the clock to tie the game at 69-69.

Humphrey opened up the first overtime the way he ended regulation, with a three. The Falcons quickly took control and built up a six-point lead but once again the Wolves made their comeback. With just four seconds left in the first overtime the Wolves hit a jumper to tie the game at 85-85. The Falcons tried to rush up the court but once again the game-winning shot could not find the mark.

The Wolves opened the second overtime like the Falcons did in the first as they hit a three to give themselves the 88-85 advantage. The Falcons continued to trade two-point baskets with the Wolves until they were able to force back-to-back turnovers and gain a 93-91 advantage with just 2:41 remaining. The Wolves once again hit a three to take a one-point lead and the trading of baskets continued. With 49 seconds left and the Falcons trailing 98-97, UM took the game over and scored the final six points of the game winning 103-98.

The Falcons return to action Thursday, Feb. 19 at 5:00 p.m. as they travel to the University of West Florida.