MONTEVALLO, Ala. – A double-overtime thriller inside the McChesney Student Activity Center slipped away from the University of Montevallo men's basketball team, Friday, against Clark-Atlanta University 121-116.
The double-overtime games was the first for UM since Dec. 17, 2016, at Valdosta State.
Junior forward
Justin Graham took over for the Falcons late in the contest and scored 15 of his career-high 31 points in the final 90 seconds of regulation and overtime.
A layup from Graham with 19 seconds to go in the second half put UM ahead, 98-95 and completed an eight-point comeback over the span of two minutes. A late three by CAU's Andrew Stewart forced the first OT.
Graham totaled six of UM's nine points in the first overtime period while
Landon Butler forced the second OT with a pair of late free throws.
To open the second OT, Graham added three more points but Clark-Atlanta pulled away late in the period to give UM its first home loss, 121-116.
Five Falcons scored in double-figures, led by Graham.
Jack Henderson finished with 20 while
Aidan Gardiner tied his career-high with 19 on 7-of-10 shooting from the field.
Free-throws plagued the Falcons as the squad finished 25-of-42 from the charity stripe.
Game Information
Score: Montevallo 116, Clark-Atlanta 121
Records: Montevallo (0-3) Clark-Atlanta (3-0)
Location: McChesney Student Activity Center | Montevallo, AL
HOW IT HAPPENED
1
st | Montevallo outscored Clark-Atlanta 46-43 at the break behind eight made three-pointers in the first 20 minutes.
2
nd | The visitors narrowly edged UM, 55-52, in the second-half scoring column. After CAU took its largest lead, 90-82, a 16-5 run over a span of 4:40 down the stretch gave Montevallo a late 98-95 lead. Graham added six points during that stretch. A late three from Clark-Atlanta forced OT.
1 OT | Montevallo struck first in OT but both sides traded buckets along the way. A pair of late free-throws from
Landon Butler pushed UM back to even, forcing the second OT. Both sides added nine points in the period.
2
nd | An opening and-one from Graham pushed Montevallo in front but a 7-2 Panther run over the next 1:39 pushed the visitors in front by four, 116-112. CAU held Montevallo's potent offense off the rest of the way, winning 121-116.
GAME NOTES
- Clark-Atlanta edged Montevallo from the floor slightly, 52.9 to 52.7. Montevallo shot 48.1 from deep, however, on thirteen made triples. CAU was 4-of-10 from downtown.
- Free throws hurt Montevallo along way as the team finished 25-of-42. CAU went 27-of-41.
- Clark-Atlanta held an advantage on the boards, 50-42 and scored 27 second-chance points.
- Five Falcons scored in double-figures led by Justin Graham who scored a team-high 31 points and added 11 rebounds.
- Jack Henderson scored 20 off the bench and drilled six threes.
- Aidan Gardiner tied his career-high with 19 points off 70-percent shooting from the field.
- Jaylen Curry chipped in 15 points while Tevin Gowins added 11 points and a team-high seven assists.
- This was Montevallo's first double-overtime game since Dec. 16, 2017, at Valdosta State.
Up Next: The Falcons will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 25 on the road against No. 23 Alabama-Huntsville at 4 p.m.
Stay up to date with Montevallo men's basketball online at montevallofalcons.com and on social media @montevallombb.
