Falcons Take No. 3 Delta State to the Wire, 66-59

CLEVELAND, Miss. - The University of Montevallo women's basketball team (7-2) suffered only its second loss all season as the Falcons traveled to No. 3 Delta State University (10-0). The Falcons gave the Lady Statesmen all they could handle keeping the score close the entire game including tying the game with just under seven minutes to play. The game marked the first time all season the Lady Statesmen did not win by double-digits.

The Falcons were awarded just nine free throws compared to Delta's 18. The difference between made free throws for both teams was seven points which would have tied the game.

UM was led by senior Alicia Lewis (Youngsville, La./Comeaux) who scored 14 points while hitting four three-pointers in the game. Senior Amanda Scott (Cullman, Ala./West Point) chipped in 13 points off the bench while grabbing three rebounds. Fellow senior Alex Sanabria (Miami, Fla./Miami) scored nine points while dishing out five assists.

The Falcons were led in rebounding by senior Manal Cali (Northampton, England/Northampton School for Girls) and junior Shan Jones (Hartselle, Ala./Hartselle) who each had six while junior Carrie Parrott (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Siegel) grabbed five.

UM fell behind early in the first half as the Lady Statesmen opened up the game on a 7-0 run. The Falcons quickly cut that lead to just three as Jones and Sanabria hit back-to-back shots. Delta slowly built their lead to double-digits over the rest of the period eventually closing the first half up 42-31.

The second half began much like the first half ended with the Lady Statesmen and Falcons trading blows. With 13:54 left in the first half and UM trailing 47-38 the Falcons went on an 11-2 run to tie the game at 49 with 8:01 left in the game.

UM went back-and-forth for the next few possessions until DSU went on an 13-3 run to reopen a 10-point lead with just 35 seconds left on the clock. The Falcons were able to cut that lead to just five but a pair of DSU free throws ended the game at 66-59.

The Falcons will return to action Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 2:00 p.m. as they host No. 3 Delta State University for a rematch of tonight's game inside Bank Trust Arena.