Falcons Drop Another Tough Contest to No. 3 Delta State, 60-55

MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The University of Montevallo women's basketball team (7-3) welcomed third-ranked Delta State University (11-0) into BankTrust Arena this afternoon (Dec. 30) for a rematch of a game played just 11 days earlier at DSU in which the Falcons fell just short of an upset, 66-59. The Lady Statesmen looked determined early in the game to shut the Falcons down and roll to another victory. It was the Falcons will and determination that allowed them to erase a 21-point lead and take a one-point advantage with just 6:42 left in the game. Both teams battled the final six minutes but the Lady Statesmen came away victorious, 60-55.

The Falcons were led by senior guard Alicia Lewis (Youngsville, La./Comeaux) who scored a game-high 16 points. Junior Tiaren Young (Forestdale, Ala./Minor) broke out in the second half scoring eight of her nine points including hitting two key three-pointers. She also grabbed six boards. Junior Shan Jones (Hartselle, Ala./Hartselle) also scored nine points while leading the team in rebounds with 10. She also led the team in assists with three. Junior forward Carrie Parrott (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Siegel) was 4-of-5 from the floor with nine points and two blocks.

The Falcons had a tough first half only hitting 21.7 percent from the floor and turning the ball over 12 times. This led to the Lady Statesmen gaining 12 points off turnovers and outscoring the Falcons 41-23. DSU hit 45.5 percent from the floor in the first half and turned the ball over just five times.

The second half was a reversal of roles for the two teams as the Falcons hit 50.5 percent of their shots and the Lady Statesmen were only able to hit 26.9 percent. UM only turned the ball over three times in the second half and did not allow a point to be scored off those three turnovers. The Lady Statesmen turned the ball over four times which led to seven UM points.

UM trailed by 14 with 12:09 left in the game and went on a 15-0 run over the next 7:27 to take a 51-50 lead. The run was highlighted by a pair of Young three-pointers and a three-pointer by Lewis. Senior Amanda Scott (Cullman, Ala./West Point) chipped in a pair of layups while Jones scored on a jumper. The Lady Statesmen scored back-to-back baskets to take a 54-51 lead by a layup by Young cut that lead to just one at 54-53 with 4:40 to play.

The two teams combined for just three made baskets and a pair of free throws the rest of the game. Two of the baskets and both free throws came from DSU while Jones scored the lone jumper for the Falcons.

The Lady Statesmen improve to 11-0 on the season while the Falcons fall to 7-3. The Falcons are just one win away from matching their win total from a season ago.

The Falcons will return to action Saturday, Jan. 2 at 1:30 p.m. as they host No. 21 Lander University. The game will mark the first Peach Belt Conference game in UM women's basketball history.