MONTEVALLO, Ala. — Montevallo had Union University right where it wanted the Bulldogs but couldn't capitalize on the opportunity as a five-minute scoring drought ended the Falcons' upset hopes as UM fell, 84-77, Thursday night.  

"(Union) is a really good team," said Montevallo women's basketball head coach Gary Van Atta. "I think what really good teams do is rise to the occasion and I think we have a really good team, but their team is older than ours and (Jada) Smith is the real deal.

"Despite the way this game went, we've played two nationally-ranked teams and missed 21 free throws. If someone would've told me that at the beginning of the season, I would've said they're crazy, but I'm hoping we learn from that and grow from that."

With 5:45 remaining in the fourth quarter, Montevallo (16-7, 10-5) found itself trailing 76-75 following a Kiya Sain 3-point basket. It was the closest the Falcons found themselves to the Bulldogs since Marisa Snodgrass sank a 3-point shot with 7:53 left in the second quarter to make it 26-25.

Following Sain's bucket, Union (20-4, 14-2) responded when Jada Smith knocked down one of her game-high 12 made baskets to push the Bulldogs' lead back to three at 78-75. The Falcons had opportunities to cut their deficit, but Shyan Flack and Kourtnie Smith both missed shots.

Jada Smith, again, pushed Union's lead out as she connected on another jump shot to make it 80-75 with 3:37 left in the game. Kourtnie Smith and Flack missed three layups chances over the next 30 seconds, before Jacie Higgins sank two free throws for Union to extend its lead to 82-75 with 2:34 remaining in the game.

The cold spell continued for Montevallo as Sain missed two free throw opportunities after forcing a Union turnover. The five-minute scoring drought ended for the Falcons when Kourtnie Smith made a layup with 41 seconds left to play in the game.

Union, again, pushed its lead back out as Shanique Lucas split a pair of free throws with 33 seconds left to make it 83-77. Following another Montevallo turnover, Jacie Higgins split two more free throws for the Bulldogs to cap the scoring for the night.

Montevallo will return to the court on Saturday, Feb. 15 when the Falcons host Christian Brothers at 2 p.m. CT.