Box Score BOWLING GREEN, KY – The University of Montevallo men's basketball team dropped a season-opening exhibition, 93-65, to Western Kentucky in E.A. Diddle arena, Wednesday.
 
The Hilltoppers shot an impressive 47.7 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from three in the win.
 
In the first half the Falcons battled with the Hilltoppers but a 60 percent three-point percentage helped carry WKU to a 17-point lead at the break, 47-30. Down, 11 with 7:24 remaining, back-to-back three's from Te Smith cut WKU's lead to five, 29-24, the closest margin of the game since the opening minutes. The home side outscored the Falcons 18-6 the rest of the half, including a 12-2 run over the final 4:34.
 
Montevallo opened the second half on an 8-0 run when Braxton Bertolette and Mason Shifflett drained back-to-back three-pointers and Bertolette added a layup, trimming WKU's lead to nine, 47-38. The Falcons were outscored 9-1 in the ensuing two minutes and were unable to inch closer the rest of the way, falling 93-65.
 
Smith's 15 points led the Falcons and freshman guard Tyler Moore recorded a team-high 10 boards in his debut.
 
Game Information

Score: Montevallo 65, Western Kentucky 93
Records: Montevallo (0-0) WKU (0-0)
Location: E.A. Diddle Arena | Bowling Green, KY
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

1^st        | A hot-shooting first half carried WKU to a 17-point lead at halftime, 47-30, shooting 60 percent, 6-of-10, from three. The Hilltoppers outscored UM 12-2 over the final 4:34 of the half
2^nd       | Montevallo opened up the second half on an 8-0 run to trim the deficit to nine, but the Hilltoppers continued a hot-shooting night as they led by as many 29 in the final minutes. 
 
GAME NOTES
 

• WKU shot an impressive 53.1 percent from the field and 60 percent from three-point range in the first half.
• Te Smith recorded 13 of his 15 total points on 3-of-6 shooting from deep in the first half.
• In his first collegiate game, freshman Tyler Moore added nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
• James McNeil paced the Falcons with seven points, seven boards and a team-high five assists.
• Braxton Bertolette added 11 points off the bench and Mason Shifflett contributed 13 on 3-of-6 shooting from deep.
• WKU narrowly edged the Falcons, 43-40 on the boards.
• Points from turnovers and points in the paint proved to be a difference maker for the Hilltoppers as the edged the Falcons, 19-8 and 36-24, respectively.
   

Up Next: The Falcons will play a final exhibition against Troy, Monday Nov. 7 in Troy, Ala. at 6 p.m.
 
Stay up to date with Montevallo men's basketball online at montevallofalcons.com and on social media @montevallombb