MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo men's basketball team fell to West Alabama, 76-68, in its home opener, Saturday at Trustmark Arena.
 

Turnovers plagued the Falcons in their first home contest as West Alabama scored 19 points from UM's 21 total turnovers.
 
In the first half, neither side shot the ball well but 12 first half Falcon turnovers helped UWA to a four-point lead, 33-29 at the break.
 
A 5-2 opening run in the second half put West Alabama ahead, 38-31, less than two minutes in. A Mason Shifflett three-pointer quickly cut the lead back to four, 38-34, marking the smallest deficit the Falcons would face over the rest of the contest. An 11-4 run in response pushed the Tigers to an 11-point advantage, 49-38, with 13:51 remaining. Aidan Gardiner trimmed the deficit to eight, 52-44, with 10:34 to go before West Alabama eventually push its lead to 15, the largest of the game, following a 10-3 run.


Game Information

Score: Montevallo 68, West Alabama 76
Records: Montevallo (1-3, 0-2 GSC) West Alabama (3-0, 1-0 GSC)
Location: Trustmark Arena | Montevallo, Ala.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

1^st        | The first half featured eight ties and four lead changes as the Falcons led for just 2:04. Despite making just seven field-goals in the first half, the Falcons were 12-15 from the free-throw line. A 7-3 run over the final 3:47 put UWA up, 33-29 at the break.
2^nd       | West Alabama controlled the second half from the opening minutes, outscoring UM 5-2 to start. Three-pointers and free-throws helped the Tigers pull away as UWA shot 6-of-10 from three and 13-of-18 from the charity stripe in the second half.
 

GAME NOTES
 

• Five Falcons scored in double-figures as redshirt sophomore Mason Shifflett led the way with 13 points.
• Graduate student Braxton Bertolette scored 12 points and grabbed a team-high seven boards while shooting a perfect 7-of-7 from the charity stripe.
• Aiden Gardiner added 11 points off the bench on 5-of-6 shooting from the field.
• Montevallo natives Te Smith and MJ Jones rounded out the group of double-digit scorers with 10 each.
• Montevallo outrebounded UWA 36-34 but the Tigers held an 11-8 advantage on the offensive glass. UWA's 11 offensive boards turned into 15 points while the Falcons managed just six second-chance buckets.
• West Alabama also held a large advantage in points-off-turnovers, 19-9.

 
Up Next: The Falcons will face Miles College on the road, Tuesday Nov. 22, at 7 p.m.