MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo women's basketball team fell to nationally-ranked Columbus State University 63-50 in Peach Belt Conference action in its annual Play 4 Kay game Feb. 18 at Trustmark Arena, with proceeds donating the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
The Falcons raised funds for the organization through a silent auction and a pledge to make a donation for each fan wearing pink at the game. Holiday Inn Express in Pelham, a sponsor of the Montevallo athletic department, pledged to match the donation to raise additional funds for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
The Falcons kept the Play 4 Kay contest a two-possession game until the final minutes, with a 13-2 run by the sixth-ranked Cougars late in the second half providing enough cushion to escape with the win.
Senior Carrington Caise led Montevallo (1-23 overall, 0-17 in Peach Belt Conference with 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the floor, including 4-of-8 from the charity stripe. Caise also dished out a team-high six assists.
Junior Jacquelyn Thompson added 11 points. Sophomore Ellie Mouyal contributed seven points and six rebounds off the bench.
Junior Katherine Goldsby finished with a game-high 13 rebounds to go along with four points, four assists and four steals.
Columbus State opened the game with a 10-0 run, but the Falcons answered quickly with a 17-11 run of its own to take the lead late in the opening half. A pair of free throws by Katija Tarailo with 3:58 remaining in the half gave Montevallo a 21-17 advantage.
The Cougars responded with a 4-0 run and the two teams traded baskets down the stretch before heading into the break tied at 25-25.
Thompson drained a 3-pointer with 11:12 remaining in the game to give the Falcons a 39-36 lead. A layup by Jasmine Newsome gave Montevallo its final lead with 9:43 left before a 13-2 run by Columbus State, capped with a pair of free throws by Ashley Asouzu with 5:42 remaining, gave the Cougars their first double-digit lead of the game.
The Falcons trimmed the deficit to 53-48 following a 3-pointer by Thompson with just under five minutes to play, but the Cougars did enough down the stretch to hold off Montevallo in the late stages of the game.
Michelle Mitchell led Columbus State (25-1 overall, 16-1 in Peach Belt Conference) with 25 points.
The Falcons will return to action Saturday, Feb. 21 with a trip to St. Augustine, Florida to take on Flagler College in Peach Belt Conference play.
Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. Eastern/12:30 p.m. Central.
