CARROLLTON, Ga. – The University of Montevallo men's basketball team dropped a tight battle to West Georgia, 80-75, to open conference play on the road in Carrollton, Ga., Wednesday.
 
Montevallo led the Wolves 73-62 with 6:20 remaining but a 18-2 closing run carried UWG to a win, 80-75.
 
Braxton Bertolette scored 32-points and tied a program record with eight made three-pointers in the contest. He finished 9-of-15 from the field and 8-of-11 from deep.
 
After West Georgia opened the second half on a 4-0 run, Bertolette exploded with four three-pointers as the Falcons led 54-46 following a 16-5 run. Bertollette's hand stayed hot as the senior drilled three more, pushing UM's lead to seven, 65-58, to tie his career-high. Free-throws put the Falcons ahead 73-62 before a 9-0 West Georgia run cut UM's lead to two, 73-71 at the under-four media timeout. With 3:43 to go, a pair of free-throws from Bertolette pushed UM's lead to three, 75-72. UWG's JJ Barnes drilled a jumper with 2:16 to go, putting West Georgia in front, 76-75. The home side closed the game on an 8-0 run, winning 80-75. The Wolves outscored Montevallo 18-2 over the final 6:20.


Game Information

Score: Montevallo 75 , West Georgia 80
Records: Montevallo (1-2) West Georgia (1-1)
Location: The Coliseum | Carrollton, Ga.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

1^st        | West Georgia led by as many seven in a first half that featured five lead changes and six ties. Aidan Gardiner and Laatsch each led UM with eight first-half points. Montevallo outscored UWG 21-15 in the final 7:53. West Georgia shot 42 percent from three-point range with eight made three's in the first half.
2^nd       | Montevallo fell behind 41-38 to begin the second half before using a 16-5 run to re-take the lead, 54-46. Braxton Bertolette drilled four three-pointers during the stretch. Down 73-62, West Georgia used an 18-2 run to finish the game. The Falcons led by as many as 11 in the second half.
 

GAME NOTES
 

• Montevallo was held without a field-goal over the final 8:38 of the contest.
• West Georgia shot a staggering 50 percent from the field in the contest while UM shot 41 percent.
• The Wolves won the turnover battle, 9-11, and outscored UM 17-11 in points-from-turnovers.
• Bertolette led the Falcons with 32 points while Austin Laatsch chipped in 12 off the bench.
• The Falcons outrebounded UWG 35-30.
• There were eight lead changes and six ties in the game.

Up Next: The Falcons will host West Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. in the GSC home-opener at Trustmark Arena.