MONTEVALLO, Ala. — A season-high 26 points from junior guard
Xavier Malcom combined with four overtime points from
Romario Spence helped Montevallo to a 75-72 win over Auburn University Montgomery on Saturday evening.
"I thought we played really hard," said Montevallo head coach
Danny Young. "Coming off a break like that — that's a long break — and with the injuries we have, I thought we played very hard."
The win didn't come without a few fireworks, though, as after Montevallo took a 41-25 lead into the locker rooms, AUM stormed back to outscore the Falcons 38-22 during the game's next 20-minute period. The Warhawks made 14 of 28 shots, including five 3-pointers and five free throws, while holding the Falcons to only eight made field goals — two 3-point baskets — and four free throws during the second half.
"It's a long week —Monday through Saturday — and unfortunately for AUM, they had to play Thursday night and we didn't have a chance to get that game in, so I thought they might have an edge up on us that way," Young said. "They're really good and we knew they were going to play hard, because they are very well coached, so we are happy with our win."
After being down 16 at the break, AUM tied the game at 53 on the second of two free throws from Aaron Reddick with 6:14 left in the game. Over the remainder of the second half, the lead traded hands six times with five ties, including a 63-63 tie at the end of regulation as a
Kevin Smith jumper was blocked by Reddick in the closing seconds.
However, the momentum changed when Malcom, who had a game-high 17 points at halftime, sank a second-chance 3-point basket 24 seconds into the overtime period to give Montevallo a lead — which was ballooned to 70-63 after a Spence jumper with 2:28 left — it did not surrender the rest of the game.
"I think we went back to moving the ball and running our offense instead of going 1-on-1 like we did during that stretch when they caught up and took the lead on us," Young said on the overtime period.
It'll be a short turnaround for Montevallo as Young and the Falcons host the University of West Florida on Monday, Jan. 6 with game time scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
