MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The Montevallo women's basketball team opened the 2025-26 home slate on Monday, falling to Talladega, 60-51, inside of Central State Bank Arena.

Montevallo's freshman duo were the only Falcons to reach double figures, as Shalexia Little led the way with 19 points and six rebounds, while Emily Mouser added 15 points and four assists.

The Falcons got off to a slow start, as the Tornadoes held a 6-0 lead at the first media timeout. Shalexia Little scored the first Falcon basket of the game at the 3:09 mark, cashing in on a pull up jumper. Little continued to find her rhythm early, scoring the next five points for the Falcons, as Talladega led, 10-7, with 1:52 left in the opening quarter. Lia Edwards and Little each contributed a pair of free throws in the final minute, as the Tornadoes led, 14-11, at the end of the first quarter.

After the Tornadoes opened the second quarter with the first three points, the Falcons went on a 6-0 run, as baskets from Olivia Johnigan, Carlyn Burdette, and Emily Mouser tied the game, 17-17, at the 5:51 mark. The Tornadoes responded with a pair of baskets, before Edwards cashed in on a lay-in. Talladega added a triple to take a, 24-19, lead at the 3:01 mark. Both teams scored a basket each in the final three minutes, as the Tornadoes held a, 26-21, advantage at the break.

The Falcons struck first in the second half, as Elyse Hughes and Little connected on back-to-back baskets to tie the game at 26 apiece at the 8:41 mark. Mouser knocked down a pair of threes in the next three minutes, putting the Falcons ahead, 32-28, at the 5:33 mark. Alani Owens scored on a pull up jumper and Edwards added a free throw, as UM held a, 35-30, advantage with 4:25 left. The Tornadoes went on a 6-0 run, before a jumper from Little put the Falcons ahead by one point, 37-36. Norman scored from long distance in the final minute, but the Tornadoes would take a, 43-40, lead into the final quarter.

Talladega opened the fourth quarter strong, with the first six points to pull ahead, 49-40, at the 6:17 mark. Little scored the first Falcon field goal of the fourth quarter at the 4:37 mark, knocking down a three-pointer, as Talladega led, 51-44. After a pair of Talladega buckets, the Falcons would go on a 7-0 run highlighted by five points from Mouser to cut the deficit to, 55-51, with 44 seconds left. The Tornadoes hit five free throws in the final seconds to take home the, 60-51, victory.

GAME INFORMATION

Score: Montevallo 51 | Talladega 60

Records: Montevallo 0-3 (0-0 GSC) | Talladega 4-1 (2-1 HBCUAC)

Location: Central State Bank Arena | Montevallo, Ala.

GAME NOTES

Montevallo shot 33.3-percent from the floor, while Talladega shot it at a 37.3-percent clip.

Shalexia Little notched a career-high 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor.

The Tornadoes edged the Falcons in rebounds, 39-37.

Montevallo recorded 12 assists, compared to Talladega's six.