MONTEVALLO, Ala. –  The University of Montevallo Men's Basketball team stunned the No.3/4 and undefeated West Georgia Wolves, 72-69, behind a game-winning three-pointer from Justin Graham, Friday.
 
 
Montevallo handed the 9-0 (5-0 GSC) Wolves its first loss of the year with a dominant defensive performance and late-game heroics.
 
Tied 69-69 with 13 seconds remaining in the game, junior Justin Graham buried a wide-open three-pointer on the wing to put the Falcons ahead 72-69 with 1.6 seconds remaining. On the ensuing inbound pass, UM's defense forced a turnover to seal the historic victory.
 
Montevallo's win over No.3/4 West Georgia marks the second highest-ranked win in program history and the highest since defeating Bellarmine in the NCAA Division-II National Semifinals in 2012.
 
 
Montevallo's defense shined in the first half, holding the No. 3/4 Wolves, who average 82 points a game, to just 23 points in the opening 20 minutes. UM stayed steady on offense, shooting 45 percent in the first while committing just four turnovers, to lead 35-23 at the break.
 
In the second half, UWG came out hot, nailing their first two threes of the game to cut the deficit to four, 35-31 just over two minutes in. Montevallo responded with a layup from Jack Henderson to keep UWG at bay. After a Graham free-throw put UM up by seven, 46-39, West Georgia used a 10-3 run to take its first lead of the game, 51-49 with 9:55 to go. A Graham dunk and Henderson layup pushed UM back ahead, 53-51 less than a minute later.
 
Over the next six minutes there were three ties and four lead changes until back-to-back buckets from Cam Glover put UM ahead by three, 67-64 with 1:28 to play. After a quick UWG bucket, Jaylen Curry found his way to the bucket to give the Falcons a three-point cushion as the clock ticked under 30 seconds to play.
 
In response, West Georgia's Zawdie Jackson drilled a three to tie the game. Out of a timeout, Graham found an open spot on the court and drained a deep-ball to break the tie and push UM ahead by three, 72-69 with 1.6 seconds to go. Graham recorded the steal on the following inbounds pass to secure the victory for the Falcons.
 
Graham scored a team-high 21 points off the bench and led the Flacons with seven boards and five assists.
 
 

Game Information

Score: Montevallo 72, No. 3/4 West Georgia 69
Records: Montevallo (2-8, 2-5) No. 3/4 West Georgia (9-1, 5-1)
Location: Montevallo, Alabama

HOW IT HAPPENED

1^st         | Montevallo outscored West Georgia 35-23 in the first half while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and holding the Wolves to 27.6 percent. Justin Graham gave UM its largest lead of the first half with a free throw, 18-4.
 
2^nd       | Montevallo was outscored 46-37 in the second half as UWG hit all eight of its three-pointers in the final 20 minutes. UM found buckets late when they needed it and outscored UWG 10-5 in the final 2:27 of play. A three-pointer with 1.6 seconds on the clock proved to be the game-winner for UM's Justin Graham.

GAME NOTES
 

• Montevallo's win over No.3/4 West Georgia is the highest-ranked win since defeating Bellarmine in the NCAA Division-II National Semifinals in 2012. It is the second highest ranked win in Division II program history behind an 81-77 win over No.1 Augusta in 2010.
• The Falcons scored 31 points off the bench, including 21 from Justin Graham.
• 69 points marks the fewest UM's defense has allowed this season and additionally is the fewest UWG has scored this year.
• Montevallo held West Georgia 0-of-12 from three-point range in the first half, but the Wolves shot their way back into the game, going 8-of-16 in the second half.
• Montevallo outshot the Wolves from the field, 46.7 percent to 40.3 percent, which proved to be the difference.
• The Falcons held an advantage on the boards 38-35.
• Both of UM's wins this season have come when holding a lead at halftime.
• Three Falcons scored in double-figures, led by 21 from Justin Graham. Cam Glover added 18 points and five assists while Jack Henderson chipped in 10 from the floor.
• Graham led UM's rebounding effort with seven, including two on the offensive glass.

Up Next: Montevallo will take on UAB in an exhibition on Sunday, Dec. 17, at Bartow Arean in Birmingham, Alabama, at 2 p.m.
 

Stay up to date with Montevallo men's basketball online at montevallofalcons.com and on social media @montevallombb.