Falcons Fall in High-Scoring Contest with Mars Hill, 95-80

COLUMBUS, Ga. - The University of Montevallo men's basketball team (6-7) fell to Mars Hill College (7-1), 95-80, at the Columbus State Holiday Tournament. The Falcons and Lions each shot over 54 percent from the field and combined for 175 points in just 40 minutes of play. The Falcons had five players in double-figures while the Lions countered with five of their own.

Senior Brian Carlyle (Atlanta, Georgia) led the way for the Falcons with 17 points and a team-high five rebounds. He went 6-for-8 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Juniors Nate Flowers (Waldorf, Maryland) and Freddy Little (Raleigh, North Carolina) were not far behind with 13 points a piece. Flowers grabbed five rebounds as well and was 4-of-5 from the floor and 5-of-6 from the charity stripe.

Senior Terrill Humphrey (St. Augustine, Florida) scored 12 points and had a team-high four assists while junior Marcus Lancaster (Grand Rapids, Michigan) had 10 points and four assists as well.

The Falcons shot 29-of-53 (54.7) while connecting on eight three-pointers.

The Lions opened the game with a 12-0 run over the first 3:10 and never relinquished the lead from then on. The Falcons did all they could to get back into the game eventually tying the game at the 8:51 mark of the first half but never gaining an advantage. The Lions closed out the first half up 41-38.

In the second half, Mars Hill slowly built its lead eventually leading by as much as 21. The Falcons fought their way back in the final three minutes to cut that lead to 15 ending the game 95-80.

The Falcons will play their final game of the 2008 year, Saturday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. as they take on host Columbus State University.