MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo women's basketball team erased a 20-point deficit in the second half to edge past visiting University of West Alabama 76-68 in overtime in a non-conference game Nov. 23 at Trustmark Arena.
The Falcons (2-2) chipped away at a 52-32 deficit with 12:37 remaining, tying the game in the final minute before taking control in overtime.
Junior Taylor Beverly added another double-double, scoring a game-high 24 points and grabbing a game-high 17 rebounds in the win. Beverly, who finished 8-of-23 from the floor and 7-of-9 at the charity stripe, has opened the season with three double-doubles and a triple-double. The reigning Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week has also made 27-of-31 attempts at the free-throw line through four games.
Senior Shay Bonner added 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field to go along with eight rebounds and five steals. Junior Carrington Caise contributed 11 points.
Sophomore Katie Colson finished with eight points and eight rebounds, while fellow sophomore Jacquelyn Thompson added seven points and three assists.
The Falcons opened the game with a 8-0 run following a pair of free throws, a jumper and a 3-pointer by Bonner in the first two minutes.
West Alabama responded with a 15-6 run, taking its first lead of the game on a 3-pointer by Shameika Hart with 12:36 left in the opening half.
The Tigers carried a 33-25 lead into the halftime following a layup by Jasmine Hampton at the buzzer. The eight-point lead marked the largest lead by West Alabama in the opening half.
Montevallo trimmed the deficit to 34-30 with 17:59 remaining in the game following a jumper by Bonner before the Tigers went on a 18-2 run to take a commanding 52-32 lead with 12:37 left.
The Falcons chipped away at the deficit in the next few minutes before an incredible 23-3 run in the final 5:12 helped Montevallo tie the game in the final minute. A jumper by Beverly with 27 seconds remaining tied the game at 63-63, sending the game into overtime.
West Alabama opened the overtime period with a 3-0 run, capped with a layup by Jada Williams with 3:33 remaining. Montevallo closed the session with a 13-2 run, with a free throw by Colson giving the Falcons the lead for good with 2:11 remaining in overtime.
The Falcons return to action Friday, Nov. 29 with a trip to Pensacola, Fla., to participate in the Comfort Inn Thanksgiving Tournament, hosted by the University of West Florida.
Montevallo opens the tournament Friday, Nov. 29 against Southwest Baptist University. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m.
West Florida will host Claflin University in the other half of the bracket, with the championship game and consolation game scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 30.
