MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo men's basketball team emerges victorious in their final game of the season on senior night as they down the Warhawks in overtime on Saturday, Mar. 2 in Central State Bank Arena.
Both teams were able to convert on their first two out of three shots while the Warhawks drained an early three to take a 5-4 lead. After a made free throw by the Falcons, neither team was able to create distance from each other as both teams traded multiple buckets. AUM took their biggest lead of the half with a made three and a layup to go up 15-10.
Landon Butler made his lone three-pointer of the night to bring the Falcons within two.
Brandon Fussell gave UM the lead with a made layup as he converted on the and one opportunity as he was smacked driving in the lane.
Two three-pointers by AUM gave the lead back to the Warhawks. Tied 30-30, Montevallo went on a 10-5 run with three's from
Tyson Sexton and
Jack Henderson. The Warhawks made a late run at the Falcons with a made three and jumper to take a 42-40 lead but Montevallo tied to game up going into half with a layup by
Jack Henderson with ten seconds left on the clock.
The Falcons and Warhawks were cold coming out of halftime as they combined for five missed shots and two missed free throws. UM would take the lead off a layup and made three ball from
Jack Henderson. AUM would go on a quick 7-2 run with a three-pointer, a jumper and two free throws to take a 55-51 lead.
Aidan Gardiner would throw down a two-hand slam to get the Falcon faithful going as they took a five-point lead. Gardiner would sink a free throw to put the Falcons up six.
Timely shooting would keep the Warhawks in the game as they sunk a mid-range jumper followed by a three to shrink the Falcon lead to one. Both teams exchanged buckets then AUM would make another three with a foul for the chance at a four-point play. Auburn Montgomery made the free throw to tie the game up with 2:44 left to play. AUM took a three-point lead with three made free throws but
Tyson Sexton would go one and one on free throws followed by
Brandon Fussell drawing a late foul and making both of his. After a dunk by the Warhawks with 34 seconds late,
Aidan Gardiner would tie the game with a late dunk to send the game to overtime.
Montevallo seized the momentum quick with a layup by
Landon Butler with contact to draw the and one opportunity. Butler cashed in on the free throw then
Tyson Sexton put the Falcons up by five with a layup after a missed three by the Warhawks. UM would take advantage of aggressive defense by AUM as they would draw another foul with a made layup by Fussell.
Cole Maddox would drain a corner three to put the game out of reach as the Falcons went on to win 98-93.
Game Information
Score: Montevallo 98 | Auburn Montgomery 93
Records: Montevallo 12-16 (11-13 GSC) | Auburn Montgomery 11-17 (8-16 GSC)
Location: Central State Bank Arena | Montevallo, Ala.
HOW IT HAPPENED
1st | Both teams would shoot identically as the Falcons would barely edge out the Warhawks in field goal percentage (45.95 to 43.24). The score was tied 21 times in the first half while the lead changed 18 times. There was only one missed free throw in the first half as the Warhawks were a perfect 3-for-3 while Montevallo was 5-for-6. AUM made seven three-pointers compared to the Falcons three.
2nd | Montevallo struggled from the field in the second half as they shot 29.7 percent from the floor and only 16.7 from three however they were 15-for-20 on the charity stripe. UM had the biggest lead of the half while up 68-62.
OT | The Falcons shined in overtime as they made five out of six shots and drained the only three-pointer they attempted. AUM was 44.4 percent from the field in overtime while they made two three-pointers. Montevallo never trailed in OT.
GAME NOTES
- Brandon Fussell ends the season with eight straight games of double-digit points.
- Jack Henderson scored 13 or more points in his last five of six games.
- Aidan Gardiner recorded a double-double with a season-high of 15 rebounds. Gardiner made his most free throws in a game this season (8)
- Tyson Sexton tied a career-high of six assists in tonight's game.
- Landon Butler had his fourth double-digit point game of the season.
