DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Montevallo women's basketball team closed the opening weekend on Saturday morning, falling to No. 19 Nova Southeastern, 81-66, in the GSC/SSC Challenge.
Three Falcons reached double figures, as Elyse Hughes led the way with a near double-double, recording 23 points and nine rebounds. Emily Mouser scored 14 points and Julia Susla added ten.
Nova Southeastern opened the game with the first six points, before Susla connected from distance and Hughes added a lay-in to cut the NSU lead to, 6-5, at the 6:13 mark. The Sharks went on an 8-0 run to stretch the lead out to, 14-5, at the 4:23 mark. The Falcons found a response a few minutes later, with Mouser and Jerrilyn Richardson making back-to-back three pointers, cutting the deficit to, 18-15, with 36 seconds left. A pair of NSU free throws and a last second lay-in would give the Sharks a, 22-15, advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Montevallo opened the second quarter with back-to-back jumpers from Mouser and Hughes to cut the NSU lead back down to single digits, 22-19, in the opening minute. The Sharks responded with three consecutive lay-ins to jump ahead, 28-19, at the 7:20 mark. Both teams traded points through the next few minutes, as NSU held a, 35-26, advantage at the 3:50 mark. Hughes would score six of the next ten Falcon points and an Edwards lay-in cut the deficit back down to single digits, 39-36, with 14 seconds left. A pair of NSU free throws gave the Sharks a, 41-36, at the break.
NSU opened the second half with six straight points, before Kylie Norman connected from long distance and Edwards added a pair of free throws. NSU held on to a tight, 47-41, at the 6:06 mark. The Sharks closed the quarter strong, outscoring the Falcons 15-3 to take a, 62-44, lead into the final quarter.
The Sharks continued to push, jumping out to its largest lead of the day, 77-50, at the 4:18 mark. Montevallo continued to fight, responding with a 6-0 run with points from Mouser and Hughes. After a NSU lay-in, the Falcons went on a 7-0 run highlighted by five points from Susla to cut the deficit to, 79-63. Mouser added a triple in the final minute, but the No. 19 Sharks ultimately took home the, 81-66, victory.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Montevallo 66 | No. 19 Nova Southeastern 81
Records: Montevallo 0-2 | No. 19 Nova Southeastern 2-0
Location: ICI Center | Daytona Beach, Fla.
GAME NOTES
· UM shot the ball 35.7-percent from the floor, while NSU shot it at a 45.5-percent clip.
· Three Falcons reached double figures in Elyse Hughes (23), Emily Mouser (14), and Julia Susla (10).
· Hughes recorded a near double-double with 23 points and nine rebounds.
· The Sharks outrebounded the Falcons, 40-31.
UP NEXT: Montevallo welcomes Talladega College to Central State Bank Arena for the 2025-26 home opener on Monday, Nov. 24.
