MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo Men's Basketball team overcame a six-point halftime deficit to open 2024 with a win, 72-68, over Christian Brothers, Tuesday.
The Falcons outscored Christian Brothers 42-32 over the final 20 minutes, including 13 second-half points from Cam Glover, who finished with 16 for the game.
A dunk from Aiden Gardiner as the clock ticked under two minutes proved to be the dagger as it gave UM a two-possession lead, 69-64. UM went 3-of-4 from-throw line down the stretch to hold on to the lead, winning 72-68 for the fourth win of the season.
Tuesday's win marks the first time the Falcons have won when trailing at halftime.
Montevallo opened the first half in an offensive rhythm, shooting over 50 percent from the floor midway holding Christian Brothers to under 30 percent A three-pointer from
Brandon Fussell and ensuing jumper from
Justin Graham kept the Falcons rolling, 24-11. CBU outscored the hosts 25-6 over the final 8:22 of the first half.
The Falcons overcame a six-point halftime deficit due in part to 11 second-half points from
Justin Graham and 13 from Glover. Montevallo opened the half on a 9-3 run in the first 2:30, to tie 39-39 following a bucket from Graham. With 11:33 to play Glover drilled three free-throws to push Montevallo ahead by five for the largest lead of the second half. The Falcons fell behind by a pair, 62-60 with 6:29 to play, but an ensuing 9-2 run, capped with the Gardiner dunk, pushed UM back in front by five with 1:47 to play.
Justin Graham finished as UM's leading scorer with 17 points – 11 of which came in the second half – while Cam Glover added 16, including 13 from the second half.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Montevallo 72 | CBU 68
Records: Montevallo 4-9 (3-6 GSC) | Christian Brothers 6-5 (4-3 GSC)
Location: McChesney Student Activity Center | Montevallo, AL
HOW IT HAPPENED
1st | Christian Brothers outscored UM 36-30 in the first half and closed the final 8:22 of the frame on a 25-6 run. Montevallo led by as many 13, following a jumper from
Justin Graham at the 8:22 mark, 24-11. A 16-3 run by the Bucs tied the score, 27-27, before CBU added 11 more and held UM to just three to lead 36-30 at the break. The Falcons ended the first half at 42.0 percent from the floor as
Jaylen Curry led the way with eight points.
2nd | Montevallo outscored CBU 42-32 in the second half as there were seven ties and seven lead changes. The Falcons shot 56 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes while also tallying 11 of its total 15 points-off-turnovers. A 9-3 run to open the half erased the deficit and helped UM gain control. The Falcons lead by as many as five in the second half.
GAME NOTES
- Montevallo earned its first win of the season when trailing at halftime and outscored CBU 42-32 in the final frame.
- The Falcons open 2024 with a win, marking the fourth year-opening win in the last five seasons.
- UM turned in its best performance of the season from the charity stripe, finishing 15-of-19 from 78.9 percent.
- Montevallo finished at 49 percent (25-of-51) from the field for the third best mark of the season and best shooting percentage since Dec. 8 in Clinton, Mississippi when the team finished at 50 percent.
- Entering tonight's matchup, the Falcons were 0-7 when trailing at halftime but erased a six-point deficit to win 42-32. Montevallo has been outscored by an average of eight points in the second-half this season but flipped the switch with a 10-point scoring advantage Tuesday against the Bucs.
- The Falcons dropped the rebounding and turnover battle, 38-31 and 16-15, but played its best game of the year defensively by holding the CBU to a season-low 39.7 field goal percentage.
- Justin Graham led UM with 17 points while Cam Glover added 16, Jaylen Curry pitched in 13 and Brandon Fussell contributed 11.
UP NEXT: Montevallo hits the road with a trip to Pensacola, Florida, Saturday, Jan. 6 for a matchup with West Florida.
