FLORENCE, S.C. – University of Montevallo junior Shykeem Jackson knocked down a career-high seven 3-pointers while leading the nationally-ranked Falcons with 21 points in a 86-64 win over Francis Marion University in a Peach Belt Conference contest Jan. 18 at the Smith University Center.
Jackson finished 7-of-11 from beyond the arc while also grabbing three rebounds and dishing out three assists as the Falcons improved to 13-2 overall and 6-2 in Peach Belt Conference play. Montevallo is ranked No. 21 in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) NCAA Division II poll.
Senior Orlando Brazier contributed 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor. Junior Larry Slaughter, who finished 5-of-6 from the floor, posted his first career double-double with a career-high 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
Sophomore Ryan May finished with 13 points on 3-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc and a 4-of-4 performance at the charity stripe. Junior Troran Brown added nine points, while fellow junior Ed'Lexus Collier contributed six points. Junior Darius Stowers finished with a game-high seven assists.
Evrik Gary drained a 3-pointer less than two minutes into the game to give the Patriots a 5-2 lead. A 3-pointer by Jackson gave Montevallo a 12-9 advantage with 13:26 left in the first half.
A layup by Dustin Jones gave Francis Marion its final lead of the first half, 13-12, before Montevallo responded with a 9-0 run. A 3-pointer by Brown put the Falcons in front 21-13 with 8:29 remaining in the half.
A layup by Collier gave Montevallo its largest lead in the half, 24-15, with 5:57 remaining before the Falcons carried a 33-26 lead into the locker room at halftime.
A layup by Brazier and a pair of free throws by May gave Montevallo its first double-digit lead in the game, 37-26, in the opening minute of the second half.
A fastbreak dunk by Trevonte Dixon with 16:15 left in the game trimmed the Falcons' lead to 39-37.
Montevallo outscored the Patriots 47-27 the rest of the way to run away with a 22-point victory.
The Falcons return to action Monday, Jan. 20 on the road at UNC Pembroke in a Peach Belt Conference contest in Pembroke, N.C.
Tip off is set for 2:30 p.m. on the holiday celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
