MONTEVALLO, Ala. — It was anyone's game with 4:04 remaining in the second half with the score tied, but by the sound of the final horn, it was Lee University that celebrated as Montevallo suffered its first Gulf South Conference loss of the season as the Falcons fell, 69-64, Thursday night.

Two Jonas Parker free throws with 4:04 left in the second half tied the game then gave Montevallo a 56-55 lead. But, moments later, Jason Landman sank one of his three 3-point baskets to give Lee a 58-56 lead.

Following a Xavier Malcom missed shot, Ryan Montgomery, who entered the game as the conference's leading scorer, made his first 3-pointer to make it 61-56, Flames. Montgomery, who came into Thursday averaging 21.6 points a game, was held to only three points for 37 minutes, before exploding for 11 over the game's final four minutes.

During the same span, Montevallo (11-5, 7-1) managed only one field goal — a Jonas Parker basket with 2:59 remaining to cut the Falcons' deficit to three. Kevin Smith converted two free throw attempts to cut it down to 61-60 with 2:32 left. But then, Montgomery converted an old-fashion 3-point play to push the Flames' lead back to four, then ultimately seven with his second 3-pointer.

T.J. Martin made one of two free throws with 45 seconds left, which made it 67-61, before Montgomery sank two more free throws. Malcom capped the scoring for the night when he sank a 3-point basket at the final horn.

Montevallo will look to start a new GSC winning streak when the Falcons travel to Montgomery on Saturday, Jan. 18 to play AUM at 4 p.m.