Late First Half Run Sparks Falcons to Victory, 56-38

DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The University of Montevallo women's basketball team (2-0) traveled to North Georgia College and State University to take part Chick-fil-A Tip-off Classic. The Falcons took on defending Sunshine State Conference Champion Rollins College (2-1) and downed the Tars 56-38. The Falcons were led by seniors Manal Cali (Northampton, England/Northampton School for Girls) and Alicia Lewis (Youngsville, La./Comeaux) who each scored a team-high 10 points.

The Falcons and Tars played a back-and-forth first half until the 5:56 mark. The Tars were leading 19-18 when the Falcons began an 11-0 run to end the first half. Five Falcons combined for the 11 points to give UM a 29-19 lead at halftime.

The second half continued to roll in the Falcons favor as they continued to build their lead throughout the second half. The Tars could only manage to get within seven points of the Falcons before UM ballooned its lead to 20. UM controlled most of the second half and ended the game up 56-38.

Cali and Lewis led the team in scoring while junior Shan Jones (Hartselle, Ala./Hartselle) chipped in nine points. Junior Tiaren Young (Forestdale, Ala./Minor) led the team in rebounding with eight boards. Senior Alex Sanabria (Miami, Fla./Miami) had a well balanced game as she scored seven points, dished out a team-high six assists and grabbed seven rebounds.

Young and junior Carrie Parrott (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Siegel) each scored six points to help the cause.

The Falcons out-rebounded the Tars 46-44 and won the turnover battle 16-11. UM dominated in the paint scoring 30 points compared to the Tars 12. The Falcons also turned the Tars 16 turnovers into a 21-5 advantage in points off turnovers.

The Falcons will return to action tomorrow, Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. as they take on Newberry College in the second day of the Chick-fil-A Tip-off Classic hosted by North Georgia.