MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo men's basketball team fell to visiting Columbus State University 81-77 in a Peach Belt Conference contest Feb. 19 at Trustmark Arena.

Senior Da-Juan Cooper led the nationally-ranked Falcons with 16 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Cooper made 5-of-7 shots from the floor and 6-of-10 attempts at the charity stripe.

Montevallo, ranked No. 16 in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division II poll, fell to 19-4 overall and 12-4 in Peach Belt Conference play following the loss.

Senior Orlando Brazier added 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting to go along with a career-high six assists. Junior Ryan May added 12 points and four rebounds, while junior Larry Slaughter finished with 11 points and six boards.

Juniors Shykeem Jackson and Troran Brown, who dished out a game-high nine assists, added nine points each.

Montevallo jumped out to a 26-12 lead in the opening half following a 3-pointer by Jackson with 11:34 remaining, which turned out to be the largest lead in the game for the Falcons.

Columbus State chipped away at the Falcons' lead and trimmed the margin to 32-30 with 6:26 left in the first half on a layup by Dimitri Davis before Montevallo carried a 47-41 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Falcons extended their lead to 51-41 in the first minute of the second half following a layup by Slaughter.

Columbus State responded with a 12-2 run to tie the game following a pair of free throws by Shane Heyward. The Cougars took their first lead in the game, 57-56, on a dunk by Heyward with 14:34 remaining in the game.

Montevallo took a 63-61 lead on a jumper by Troran Brown with 11:45 left in the game, but it would be the Falcons' final lead in the game.

The Falcons return to action Saturday, Feb. 22 with a Peach Belt Conference contest against Georgia College.

Tip off at Trustmark Arena is set for 3:30 p.m.