Second Half Comeback Falls Short for 24th-Ranked Falcons, 75-67

MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The 24^th-ranked University of Montevallo men's basketball team (16-3, 6-3 PBC) dropped a tough 75-67 loss to Francis Marion University (16-3, 8-2 PBC) at home. The Falcons were led by senior Gerald January (Macon, Ga./Westside) who had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. He also threw in a pair of blocks. Senior Freddy Little (Raleigh, N.C./Bunn) was the top Falcon scorer with 21 points including a perfect 7-for-7 from the charity stripe.

Junior Demarcus Richard (Portland, Ore./Jefferson) had nine points and a team-high four assists. Senior MarkPlaza (San Diego, Calif./Chula Vista) had seven points and three assists as well.

The Falcons shot just 37.5 percent from the field which is over 10 percentage points below their regular average. The Patriots shot 60.5 percent from the field which is 15 percentage points higher than their regular average.

The game opened up with both teams going back-and-forth as they traded baskets and defensive stops. With 15:07 left in the first half and the Falcons up 12-10 the Patriots began a 9-0 run the flip-flopped the advantage. The Patriots continued to hold the advantage the rest of the first half as they entered halftime up 33-30.

FMU opened up the second half with a 20-7 run over the first five minutes to take a 53-37 lead. With 9:33 left in the game and the Patriots still up by 17 the Falcons began a 15-2 run which included a four-point play by Little who hit a three pointer and was fouled for the and-one. Down by just four with 5:13 left in the game the Falcons were unable to get any closer as FMU hot their free throws down the stretch to win 75-67.

The No. 24 Falcons will return to action Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. as they travel to Columbus State University. The Cougars are 10-8 overall and 4-5 in PBC play.