MONTGOMERY, Ala. — After scoring 20-or-more points only twice this season, Jonas Parker exploded for a career-high 29 points on 9-of-19 shooting, including 3 of 6 from behind the 3-point arc and converting 8 of 10 free throw opportunities.

However, the performance wasn't enough as the Falcons dropped their second straight Gulf South Conference game as the AUM came from behind during the second half to win 74-71 on Saturday afternoon.

It was all Montevallo (11-6, 7-2) in the first half, though, as the Falcons soared out to a 46-22 halftime lead thanks in large part to UM shooting 51.9 percent (14-27) from the field and converting 13 of 18 free throw attempts during the game's first 20 minutes. On the defensive end, the Falcons held AUM (8-9, 3-6) to only 22 points on 7-of-27 shooting (25.9 percent) with two of those makes coming from behind the 3-point arc.

However, the script was flipped with 17:18 left to play; despite Montevallo leading, 50-26, following two made free throws by Wade Lowman. Parker, who had 20 first-half points, made it 52-30, Falcons, with a layup at the 16:26 mark of the second half. But then, AUM started chipping away.

A 17-8 run for AUM over the next six minutes to cut the Warhawk lead to 13 with 10:02 to play. The run continued with eight consecutive made free throws and a layup by AUM over the next 2:45 and a 24-point halftime lead was dwindled down to three.  

Cedric Jackson broke the scoring run with a layup to make it a 62-57 Montevallo lead with 6:09 remaining in the game. However, two of three free throws from Stanley Davis made it a three-point game again with 6:00 left in the second half.

AUM took its first lead of the second half when Maharrith Jackson sank a 3-point basket with 5:08 to play and gave the Warhawks a 64-62 lead, which was extended to 66-62 after two more Darrion Taylor free throws.  

Jackson, again, cut the scoring run with a 3-point basket. After AUM responded to make it a three-point game, Parker was unable to convert a layup to cut the deficit. Carlos Bell made two free throws for AUM, before Kevin Smith made it a one-possession game with his lone 3-pointer of the game.

Parker sank one of two free throws to make it 71-69 with 2:04 to play. From there, Montevallo had two opportunities to tie the game after it become a three-point contest with 57 seconds left. However, Jackson and Xavier Malcom both missed 3-point shots in the closing seconds.

Montevallo will return to action on Thursday, Jan. 23 when the Falcons host the University of West Alabama at 7:30 p.m.