Falcons Strong Second Half Leads to 65-62 Victory

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The University of Montevallo men's basketball team (3-0) remained undefeated after coming from behind in the second half at the University of West Florida Thanksgiving Classic against Lynn University (1-3). The Falcons defeated the Knights 65-62 despite trailing 36-31 at halftime. UM was led junior Tauras Dortch (Ensley, Ala./Ramsay) who scored a career-high 25 points off 11-of-13 shooting from the floor.

Two other Falcons scored in double-digits including junior Cecil Coleman (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Bay Tech) and senior Gerald January (Macon, Ga./Westside) who each scored 10 points. January led the team in rebounds with nine and blocks with three. Senior MarkPlaza (San Diego, Calif./Chula Vista) dished out a team-high five assists while scoring nine points and picking up a team-high four steals.

The Falcons overcame a 21-8 deficit at the free throw line as Lynn was awarded twice as many free throws as UM.

UM used a stifling defense that forced 21 Lynn turnovers and led to a 27-5 advantage in points off turnovers. The Falcons also dominated the paint as they outscored the Knights 42-20 in the paint.

The Falcons hit just over half their shots as they connected on 30-of-58 shots from the field compared to LU who hit 42.2 percent of their shots.

The first half was even for the first 10 minutes as neither team jumped out to a big lead. Tied 15-15 with 9:46 left in the first half the Knights began a 16-6 run over the next five minutes to open up a 31-21 lead. The Falcons were able cut into the lead in the final five minutes as they ended the first half down 36-31.

The second half began with the Falcons fighting their way into the lead as they opened the period with a 10-4 run and took a 41-40 lead. The Knights took the lead back on the next possession and held it for the next 10 minutes until Plaza hit a three pointer with 5:50 left in the game to give the Falcons a 57-55 lead. UM held onto the lead the rest of the way as they won 65-62.

The Falcons will return to action tomorrow, Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. as they take on host University of West Florida in the final game of the West Florida Thanksgiving Classic.