Montevallo overcomes deficit to topple UWA ladies

MONTEVALLO, Ala. – Montevallo erased a 20-point deficit in the second half and then outscored West Alabama 13-5 in overtime to defeat the Tigers, 76-68, in women’s college basketball at Trustmark Arena Saturday.

The victory improves Montevallo to 2-2. West Alabama drops to 2-2.

Taylor Beverly scored six of her game-high 24 points in overtime for the Falcons. Beverly also scored the game-tying layup with 28.2 left in the second half. The junior from Brandon, Miss., collected 17 rebounds, blocked three shots, had three steals and three assists for Montevallo.

With the score tied at 63-63 and West Alabama in possession, the Tigers turned the ball over with 7.0 seconds left, giving the Falcons an opportunity to win in regulation, but a last second shot was no good.

Shay Bonner added 22 points and Carrington Caise 11 for Monetvallo, who trailed UWA 52-32 with 12:37 left in the game. From that point forward West Alabama turned the ball over 13 times in regulation and once more in overtime. UWA had 24 turnovers in the game.

“For the first time this season I felt like we had a great opportunity to show that we can win some games,” UWA head coach Craig Roden said. “We came out and executed the way you are supposed to and built a 20-point lead.

“Now we have to work on taking care of the basketball, allowing just one shot,” Roden said, “the basic things you have to do to close people out.”

Shameika Hart scored 21 points, including making five first-half three-pointers, to lead West Alabama. Jada Williams had 12 points and eight assists. Quentinette Odom and Jasmine Hampton fouled out with 10 points each late in the game. Williams and Odom had seven rebounds each for the Tigers.

The Tigers host Miles College at Pruitt Hall at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Pruitt Hall.