TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Coming into the season ranked fifth in the country, the University of Montevallo men's basketball team put themselves through a tough SEC test in an exhibition matchup with the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. It was close throughout, but Montevallo was never quite able to overcome the size and strength of the Tide and fell 81-67.
Alabama got out to a hot start in their first game of the 2014-15 season. The Crimson Tide scored the first 10 points of the contest. Shannon Hale led the run, scoring five points on his own, including a three to open up the scoring.
Ibrahim Johnson made two free throws for Montevallo following the first media timeout, but Alabama would respond with another three-pointer, extending their lead to 13-2.
At that point, Montevallo went on a big run to nearly draw even. The Falcons scored 12 of the next 14 points, making it a 15-14 game. The charge was led by Johnson and reigning Peach Belt Player of the Year, Troran Brown.
The home team fought back, draining two straight three-pointers to extend the lead back out to nine points. Brown then put Montevallo back within striking distance, scoring five straight points. He had a three-pointer as the shot clock expired followed by a layup on a fast break.
Alabama seemed to find their hot shooting whenever the Falcons would get close, going on a 9-0 run after Brown pulled the visitors to within four points.
Montevallo would have one more scoring outburst in them before half's end. Shykeem Jackson, a prolific long range shooter, hit threes on back-to-back possessions to cut the lead back down to seven. Brown added a three of his own, and Malik Fields made his first basket as a member of the Falcons to close out the half.
A late layup by the Tide gave them an eight point, 41-33, lead after 20 minutes. The home team shot 53.3% in the first half.
Johnson started the second half the same way he started the game: putting points on the board. He fought through a foul to make a layup in the opening minutes. The junior had 13 points in his first game with the Falcons after redshirting last season.
Brown then made a three that started a 7-0 run, trimming the Alabama lead to just three. Ryan May hit from beyond the arc to cut it back to three after the Tide extended it briefly to six points.
May would go on a tear, hitting four three-pointers in less than five minutes. Coach Danny Young called the first timeout of the second half with 6:29 to go and his team trailing by just four points, 61-57.
It was back and forth the rest of the way, including another run of five straight points from Brown, but Montevallo would never be able to quite get past Alabama. The Falcons fell in the exhibition contest by the final of 81-67.
Brown solidified his spot as one of the elite players in Division II, finishing the game with 24 points, five assists, and four steals. His 24 points were a game-high.
May finished with 12 points, after being held scoreless in the first half. Jackson had eight points, while Kimani Key chipped in five rebounds and lots of effort plays off the bench.
Fields shot 66.67% from the floor and finished with eight points. Larry Slaughter led the team in rebounds, grabbing nine boards.
Next up for the Falcons is a weeklong trip in Puerto Rico. They'll take on three Puerto Rican squads to officially open up the 2014-15 season.
