FLORENCE, S.C. – University of Montevallo junior Taylor Beverly poured in a game-high 28 points, including a basket to give the Falcons a four-point lead with under two minutes remaining in a Peach Belt Conference game on the road at Francis Marion University, but it wasn't quite enough as the Patriots escaped with a 67-65 victory on their home court Jan. 18 at the Smith University Center.

Francis Marion ended the game with a 8-2 run to secure the win. The Falcons fell to 5-10 overall and 2-6 in Peach Belt Conference play.

Beverly finished 13-of-24 from the floor while also grabbing a team-high nine rebounds. Sophomore Jacquelyn Thompson added 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the floor, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, off the bench.

Senior Shay Bonner and junior Carrington Caise contributed eight points each, with Bonner recording a team-high three steals and Caise dishing out a career-high eight assists.

Junior Kaylin Foreman finished with seven points and three rebounds. Sophomore Katie Colson, who grabbed eight rebounds, chipped in three points.

Montevallo jumped out to an early 14-4 lead following a layup by Bonner with 13:44 remaining in the first half, which gave the Falcons their only double-digit lead in the contest.

The Patriots responded with a 13-3 run, capped with a layup by Dee Gray with 8:07 left in the first half, to tie the game at 17-17.

Beverly capped a 6-2 run by the Falcons with a jumper at the 4:34 mark in the opening half, which gave Montevallo a 23-19 advantage. Francis Marion ended the half with a 12-2 run, capped with a layup by Lauren Woods, to carry a 31-25 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Patriots extended their lead to as many as eight points in the second half, the last time following a layup by Cy'erra Mills with nine minutes remaining, which gave Francis Marion a 51-43 advantage.

The Falcons responded with a 16-8 run, capped with a layup by Foreman, to tie the game at 59-59 with 3:20 remaining. A layup by Foreman with 2:41 remaining gave Montevallo a 61-59 lead, its first in the second half.

Beverly pushed the Falcons' lead to 63-59 following a layup with 1:32 remaining, but the Patriots closed the game with a 8-2 run down the stretch to escape with the 67-65 victory.

Montevallo will return to action Monday, Jan. 20 in another Peach Belt Conference contest on the road at UNC Pembroke in Pembroke, N.C.

Tip off is set for 12:30 p.m. on the holiday celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.