SCORE

Columbus State 90, Montevallo 76

RECORDS

Montevallo (12-6 overall, 6-5 in Peach Belt Conference)

Columbus State (13-5 overall, 6-5 in Peach Belt Conference)

LOCATION

Frank G. Lumpkin Center (Columbus, Georgia)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Montevallo dropped its third consecutive road game in Peach Belt Conference play following a 90-76 setback on the road Jan. 25 at rival Columbus State.

Sophomore Tony Bagtas knocked down a jumper with 17:54 remaining in the first half to give the Falcons an early 6-5 advantage. Columbus State went on a 14-4 run and Ryan Burnett drained a pair of free throws with 14:30 left in the opening half to open up a 19-10 lead for the Cougars.

The Falcons responded with a 15-5 run of their own, capped with a 3-pointer by senior Kevin Kelly, and Montevallo took a brief 25-24 lead with 7:46 remaining in the half. Columbus State took a 29-25 lead following a 3-pointer by Jacori Payne before senior Tazz Marbury drained a 3-pointer to give the Falcons a 30-29 advantage with 4:47 left in the first half, but it turned out to be the final lead in the game for Montevallo.

The Cougars pushed their lead to 40-34 heading into the locker room at halftime following a 3-pointer by Payne with one second remaining in the first half.

Montevallo managed to trim the deficit to 47-45 following a jumper by junior Jamaar Taylor with 15:52 remaining in the game before Columbus State went on a 12-2 run. A layup by Marcus Dixon with 12:32 left in the contest pushed the Cougars' lead to 59-47 as Columbus State took its first double-digit lead in the game.

Columbus State led by as many as 16 points down the stretch following a jumper by Arben Camaj with 8:27 remaining in the contest, which gave the Cougars a 68-52 lead.

STAT OF THE GAME

Senior Javonte Douglas posted his eighth double-double of the season after scoring a team-high 22 points and grabbing a game-high 18 rebounds.

UP NEXT

The Falcons return home to Trustmark Arena to take on the University of North Georgia in a Peach Belt Conference contest Saturday, Jan. 28. Tip off is set for 3:30 p.m.