ROME, Ga. — Forty minutes wasn't enough to determine a winner between the University of Montevallo and Shorter University Saturday afternoon as the Falcons squeaked out an 86-85 win in the closing second of overtime.

The scoring opened with a Wade Lowman free throw 55 seconds into the game, before Cedric Jackson extended Montevallo's lead to four following the first of his four 3-point baskets nearly a minute later. From there until the halftime, it was all Falcons as UM led the entire first half and led by as many as 11 following a Jonas Parker jumper to make it 18-7 at the 11-minute mark.

Lowman opened the second half the same way he did the first as the senior converted an and-one opportunity after being fouled on a dunk.

Shorter took its first lead of the game – 39-38 – at the 17:50 mark following a Ricky Knight, Jr., jumper, but the lead was short lived as Kevin Smith sank two free throws just 18 seconds later.

From the 17:32 mark of the second half until 13:14, the lead traded hands on 11 straight possession, before Jay Shropshire sank a 3-pointer to extend Shorter's lead to 54-49. But, just two minutes later, Montevallo tied the game, again, following a Lowman basket. The Falcons re-claimed the lead at 59-58 with 8:12 remaining in regulation following a Cedric Jackson layup. The UM lead stood until Ja'Cori Wilson converted a free throw after being fouled with 3:32 left in the second half. Shorter led, 75-74, with a minute to play, before a Lowman layup gave Montevallo a one-point lead with 34 seconds left.

However, the Hawks tied the game at 76 with one Shropshire free throw. SU had an opportunity to take the lead, but Shropshire missed the second free throw thus sending the game to overtime.

Lowman, staying true to how the afternoon went, started the extra period by sinking two free throws to give UM the lead. Following a Shorter 3-pointer, Jackson's layup and two Kevin Smith free throws gave the Falcons a one-point lead with two minutes to play. After the two teams traded baskets, the Hawks tied the game at 85 with nine seconds left, but Smith was fouled while attempting a game-winning shot. He went on to sink the front end with less than one seconds remaining in overtime to push the Falcons ahead for good.

Jackson led all scorers with a career-high 24 points, while Xavier Malcom finished with seven points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Lowman chipped in 16 points, while Jonas Parker added 13 points. 

Montevallo (8-4, 4-0) will pause from game action for the holidays, before returning to the court on Saturday, Jan. 4 when the Falcons host Auburn University Montgomery at 4 p.m.