Box Score MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The University of Montevallo men's basketball team dropped its 2023-24 season opener in a tough battle with the defending national champion Nova Southeastern Sharks, 124-96.
 
Four Falcons scored in double-figures as UM combined for 96 points for the most points in a season-opener since the 2016 season.
 
Jaylen Curry led the Falcons with a team-high 19 points on seven-of-13 shooting from the field while fellow newcomer Charlie Champagne added 17 off the bench.
 
There were eight total lead changes in the contest and the Falcons led for nearly 10 minutes, but a plus-14 scoring margin in the second half by the No. 2 ranked team in NCAA Division-II kept UM at bay.

Game Information

Score: Montevallo 96, No. 2 Nova Southeastern 124
Records: Montevallo (0-1) No. 2 Nova Southeastern (1-0)
Location: Health & Sports Center | Miami Shores, Fla.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

1^st        | Montevallo traded early buckets with the Sharks and jumped out to a nine-point lead following an 11-1 run that was capped with a Jack Henderson layup. Back-to-back three-pointers from Champagne, his first points as a Falcon, ignited the early run. A 21-9 run by the Sharks over the next four minutes lofted Nova Southeastern in front, 31-128 at the 9:01 mark. Um regained the lead briefly on a second-chance bucket from Curry, 36-35, but Nova responded and took control the rest of the lay, leading 64-50 at halftime.
2^nd       | Nova Southeastern picked up where they left off in the second half and led by as many as 33 mid-way through. Montevallo added 46 points in the second half but were unable to keep up with the Sharks.
 
GAME NOTES
 

• Nova Southeastern shot 55 percent from the floor, compared to 41 percent from the Falcons.
• Montevallo opened the year with 41 three-point attempts and made 10 for a 24 percent clip. The Sharks shot at a 41 percent mark from downtown.
• Nova Southeastern held a 48-43 advantage on the boards, however, UM outrebounded the Sharks 19-17 on the offensive glass and scored 22 second-chance points.
• There was one tie and eight lead changes in the contest.
• Montevallo led for 9:34 in the game.
• Jaylen Curry led the way offensively with 19 points while Charlie Champagne added 17 and freshmen Landon Butler and Brandon Fussell chipped in 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Up Next: The Falcons will continue the GSC/SSC Crossover with a matchup against Barry on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m.
 
Stay up to date with Montevallo men's basketball online at montevallofalcons.com and on social media @montevallombb.