YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. - Having already earned their third straight Peach Belt Conference West Division crown, the University of Montevallo men's basketball team played their regular season finale at Young Harris on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons sustained their momentum heading into postseason play, earning a 74-66 victory over the Mountain Lions.
Montevallo clinched the West Division six days ago when Young Harris came to Trustmark Arena for a rare Sunday afternoon contest.
In Saturday's game, the Falcons used a 12-0 run in the beginning parts of the first half for an early eight point lead.
At the half, Montevallo led 39-32.
Coming out for the second half, Young Harris was able to cut the lead to just three points. Montevallo would instantly extend it back out, as Shykeem Jackson retaliated with a three-point basket on the very next possession.
The Mountain Lions refused to go away quietly and got to within two points with 6:01 remaining. On the next possession, the Falcons were relentless in their quest to extend the lead, recording three offensive rebounds and eventually scoring on a Darius Stowers' layup.
Isaiah Johnson made a three-pointer for Young Harris that cut the lead to just one with 2:33 left. Montevallo responded to this threat with a 9-2 run to close out the game, earning the 74-66 win.
In the final minutes, Troran Brown, Jackson, and Stowers went a combined 6-6 from the free throw line.
Brown led the Falcons with 16 points in the game. The junior from Phoenix, Ariz. shot 53.8% from the field.
Jackson had 15 points in the game, including three three-pointers. Jackson shot 50% from behind the arc and ends the season with the best three-point shooting percentage in the Peach Belt Conference.
Ryan May also had 15 points in the game. He shot 50% from the field and 75% from the charity stripe.
Larry Slaughter and Silas Mills dominated the glass in the game, recording 14 and 16 rebounds, respectively.
The Falcons will begin postseason play this Friday, March 7th, in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament.
Montevallo is the top seed in the West; they will take on Francis Marion, the fourth seed in the East.
Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. CST. All games in the PBC Tournament will be played in Columbus, Ga. at Columbus State University.
