SCORE

Montevallo 78, Francis Marion 66

RECORDS

Montevallo (5-3 overall, 1-0 in Peach Belt Conference)

Francis Marion (7-2 overall, 0-1 in Peach Belt Conference)

LOCATION

Trustmark Arena (Birmingham, Ala.)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Montevallo turned a tight game in the second half into a 78-66 win over visiting Francis Marion in its Peach Belt Conference opener.

The Falcons led throughout the entire first half as they built a 39-28 lead at the break.

Montevallo took its first double-digit lead with 12:20 remaining in the opening half when senior Bryant Orange sank a 3-pointer to give the Falcons a 20-9 lead.

The Falcons led by as many as 18 points in the first half, with a 3-pointer by Orange giving Montevallo a 39-21 advantage with 2:18 remaining in the half.

Francis Marion closed the half with a 7-0 run, capped with a jumper by Nick Talko with five seconds remaining in the first half, to trim the Falcons' lead to 39-28 at the break.

The Patriots opened the half with a 17-6 run to tie the contest at 45-45 following a layup by Mike Davis, Jr. with 14:26 remaining in the game. A layup by senior Terrell Lipkins with 9:19 left in the game put the Falcons on top, 54-49, before the Patriots went on a 7-2 run to tie the game at 56-56.

Lipkins drained a 3-pointer with 5:37 remaining to break a 59-59 tie and give the Falcons the lead for good. Lipkins and Orange each made a pair of free throws in the final minute to close out the victory.

STAT OF THE GAME

Senior Bryant Orange finished just two assists shy of recording his first triple-double in his playing career. Orange finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in the Falcons' victory.

BEYOND THE NUMBERS

Senior Bryant Orange registered his second double-double of the season with his 18 points and 10 rebounds against Francis Marion. Orange owns three double-doubles in his career with the Falcons.

Montevallo finished 7-of-10 from the charity stripe, shooting a season-best 70 percent from the free-throw line in the victory.

The Falcons shot 50.8 percent from the floor, marking the first time Montevallo has shot 50 percent or better from the floor in back-to-back games this season.

UP NEXT

The Falcons will return to action Saturday, Dec. 19 with a Peach Belt Conference contest against Augusta University at Trustmark Arena. Tip off is set for 3:30 p.m.