HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The University of Montevallo men's basketball team fell short in a non-conference contest to Saint Leo, 93-84, in Huntsville, Ala., Saturday.
 
With 1:25 remaining, Braxton Bertolette scored a layup to cut the lead to five, 85-80, capping a 6-0 run. The comeback effort was cut short as the Lions extended its lead to seven over the next 53 seconds. Aiden Gardiner and Te Smith each added layups in the final 19 seconds but it wasn't enough as Saint Leo took the win, 93-84.
 
Similar to Friday's game, the falcons started slowly in the first half and trailed by eight at the break, 43-35. Saint Leo extended its lead to 20, the largest of the game with 7:07 remaining. Montevallo scored 11 straight points over the next two and a half minutes to cut the Lions' lead to nine, 81-71. The Falcons outscored Saint Leo to 12 in the final seven minutes of the contest.
 
Bertolette's 20 points led the Falcons as he finished 8-of-8 from the free-throw line.  

Game Information

Score: Montevallo 84, Saint Leo 93
Records: Montevallo (1-1) Saint Leo (1-1)
Location: Spragins Hall | Huntsville, Ala.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

1^st        | Saint Leo outscored UM 43-35 in the first half, despite the Falcons shooting 50 percent from the floor. UM committed eight of its nine total turnovers in the first half, resulting in 15 Saint Leo points.
2^nd       | Montevallo protected the ball extremely well in the second half, turning the ball over just once. Saint Leo narrowly outscored the Falcons, 50-49, in the second half. UM trailed by 20 with seven minutes to go and finished with a 23-11 run.
 
GAME NOTES
 

• Bertolette led a group of four players to score in double figures for the Falcons.
• Te Smith and Aidan Gardiner each recorded career-highs with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
• MJ Jones chipped in 15 points and a career-high four assists.
• A career-high five assists from Mason Shifflett led UM.
• Six boards each from Smith and Shifflett led Montevallo. Saint Leo outrebounded the Falcons 42-31.
• Saint Leo edged UM from the field 52.4 percent to 43.1 percent and from three, 33.3 percent to 26.9 percent.
• UM finished 21-of-25 from the charity stripe while Saint Leo was 18-of-21.

Up Next: The Falcons will open Gulf South Conference play against West Georgia, on the road, on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 4:30 p.m.
 
Stay up to date with Montevallo men's basketball online at montevallofalcons.com and on social media @montevallombb