CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The Montevallo women's basketball team fell in its Gulf South Conference opener on Thursday evening, dropping a close contest to Lee, 59-52, inside of Paul Dana Walker Arena.

Elyse Hughes led the way for the Falcons with 16 points, followed by Emily Mouser who added ten.

The Lady Flames opened the game with the first five points, but the Falcons used an 8-0 run highlighted by back-to-back triples from Audrey Hendrix and Julia Susla, to pull ahead, 8-5, at the 3:35 mark. Lee scored the next five points, before Alani Owens cashed in on a lay-in with 41 seconds left. The Lady Flames scored one more basket in the final seconds to take a, 12-10, lead at the end of the first quarter.

Olivia Johnigan opened the scoring in the second quarter, cashing in on a lay-in to tie the game. Both teams traded points through the next few minutes, as the score remained tied, 16-16, at the 6:25 mark. The Falcons went on a 6-0 run through the next three minutes, as a three-pointer from Hendrix put Montevallo ahead, 22-16, at the 3:44 mark. Lee stopped the Montevallo run with a lay-in, but a turnaround jumper by Elyse Hughes kept the momentum going for the Falcons. Lee closed the half strong, using a 6-0 run to tie the game, 24-24, at the break.

Julia Susla scored the first points of the second half, firing from distance to give the Falcons a, 27-24, advantage. The Lady Flames responded with the next six points, to pull ahead, 30-27, at the 7:28 mark. Hughes scored a pair of baskets in the next few minutes, but the Lady Flames stretched its lead out to, 38-31, with 4:27 left. Hughes cashed in on a jumper at 3:33 to halt the Lee run, but the Lady Flames continued to push, jumping ahead by double digits, 43-33, with 1:02 left. Johnigan scored on a pullup jumper in the final seconds, as Lee took a, 43-35, advantage into the final quarter.

Both teams opened the fourth quarter with a basket each, with Montevallo's coming from Julia Susla. The Lady Flames connected on four free throws and a lay-in, stretching the Lee advantage to, 51-38, at the 6:08 mark. Both teams traded points, as the Lady Flames held on to a, 54-41, lead with 3:16 left. The Falcons continued to fight as Mouser connected on a driving lay-in and Alani Owens hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit back down to single digits, 54-46, at the 2:14 mark. Hughes, Mouser, and Owens added points late, but the Lady Flames made free throws down the stretch to secure a, 59-52, victory in the GSC opener.

GAME INFORMATION

Score: Montevallo 52 | Lee 59

Records: Montevallo 1-4 (0-1 GSC) | Lee 4-1 (1-0 GSC)

Location: Paul Dana Walker Arena | Cleveland, Tenn.

GAME NOTES

• Montevallo shot 33.9-percent from the field, compared to Lee's 37.5-percent clip.
• A pair of Falcons scored in double figures in Elyse Hughes (16) and Emily Mouser (10).
• The Falcons edged the Lady Flames in assists, 12-10.
• Mouser dished out a season-high five assists.

UP NEXT: Montevallo closes the opening weekend of conference play at Trevecca on Saturday, Dec. 6.