Box Score MONTEVALLO, Ala. – Montevallo women's basketball opened 2024 with a 16-point win over Christian Brothers in a dogfight on Jan. 2.
 
The Falcons came out on a 9-2 run featuring a pair of early threes from Cali Smallwood and A.K. Eastman following the game's opening bucket from Christian Brothers. The Falcons forced four first-quarter turnovers from the Lady Bucs but were only able to convert those into four points. Though the Falcons shot just 22.2 percent from the floor, Montevallo led 11-8 at the first break with Eastman leading all scorers with five points.
 
To start the second, CBU continued a 6-0 run to regain control 12-11 with the Falcons going scoreless from the field in the first 2:03. Cali Smallwood gave Montevallo the lead just moments later and added to it with four quick points to go up 15-12. Montevallo was held scoreless for the next 2:19 before Isabel Grimes knocked down a corner three before Eastman's second three of the first half lifted Montevallo to 21-18 lead. With a CBU bucket in the closing stages of the half, Montevallo took a 21-16 lead into the locker room.
 
The Lady Bucs opened a 6-0 run to start the half to regain control 22-21 with 6:52 to go. Ramie Reid recorded her first points of the day to snap another Falcon scoreless streak and give Montevallo the lead once again. With four more quick points from Reid, Montevallo pulled back in front 29-24 with 3:32 to play. Grimes added four more points, with two coming from the stripe, before Marisa Snodgrass's first field goal of the day opened the Falcons largest lead of the night at 36-27. CBU converted a pair of free throws in the final seconds with Montevallo leading by seven heading into the final stanza.
 
Reid continued her hot shooting in the second half with back-to-back buckets to give Montevallo a 10-point advantage with 7:50 on the clock. CBU found its first points of the quarter with 5:26 to play to cut the lead back down to seven before another corner three from Eastman extended the Falcons' advantage. Lia Edwards converted an and one at the line to end a scoreless streak for the Falcons before Leisha Steger opened a 13-point Montevallo lead with 3:18 to play. Smallwood secured her second double-double in as many games with a tough shot at the 1:23 mark. With a final bucket from MaKayla Gordon, Montevallo moved back into the win column with a 59-43 win over Christian Brothers.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Montevallo 59 | Christian Brothers 43
Records: Montevallo 8-4 (6-3 GSC) | Christian Brothers 1-11 (1-7 GSC)
Location: McChesney Student Activity Center | Montevallo, Ala.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
1^st | Both squads struggled to find points with each team shooting less than 25 percent from the floor. The Falcons converted four Lady Buc turnovers into four points to take an 11-8 lead after the first ten minutes. A.K. Eastman led all scorers with five points in the quarter.
2^nd | Montevallo found its footing late in the second quarter after a scoreless stretch before the media timeout. Montevallo's defense held CBU to eight points for the second straight quarter to take a 21-16 lead into the locker room. Cali Smallwood led the Falcons with four points in the second.
3^rd | The Falcons' front court came alive in the third quarter with Ramie Reid finding six points in the quarter as Montevallo opened its largest lead so far. With a 33.3 percent shooting mark, Montevallo took a 36-29 lead into the final quarter.
4^th | Montevallo offense exploded for 23 points in the final stanza with the Falcons shooting 44.4 percent from the field. With Montevallo converting CBU turnovers into 13 points, the Falcons found a way to win in a tough conference matchup in early January.
 
GAME NOTES

• Montevallo led for 35:24 of the game with just five lead changes throughout despite shooting 20 percent from range.
• Four Falcons scored double-digit points with Cali Smallwood and A.K. Eastman leading the way with 11 points apiece.
• Cali Smallwood set a career-high with 14 rebounds en route to her second consecutive double-double.
• The Falcon bench was a factor in the win with Montevallo's reserves scoring 24 points to CBU's five.

 
UP NEXT: Montevallo travels to the gulf coast on Jan. 6 for a date with West Florida and 2 p.m.