Montevallo 98, Auburn-Montgomery 96: Montevallo only scored once in the final 2:22. That basket was a game-winning 3-pointer from the top of the key by James McNeil with 2.1 seconds remaining. The clutch shot came 16 seconds after AUM took a 96-95 lead on a free throw by James Graham. McNeil took a pass from Braxton Bertolette and hit the game-winner in the Gulf South Conference matchup.
The game featured 16 lead changes and 11 ties. AUM led by seven points in each half. Montevallo had a 95-90 lead after Aidan Gardiner’s bucket in the paint with 2:22 left. AUM tied the game on a 3-pointer by Sam Youngblood and a follow shot by Joseph Lanzi. Graham hit the second of two free throws to give AUM the lead.
Bertolette had a game-high 26 points. Tyler Moore (19 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals) and Gardiner (19 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots) each had productive games for Montevallo (7-9 overall, 5-7 GSC). Travis Anderson led AUM (7-9 overall, 5-7 GSC) with 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals. Lanzi and Graham each had 17 points. Lanzi added six assists and Graham had five blocked shots and four assists.
UAH 69, West Florida 51: The Chargers (14-4 overall, 9-3 GSC) not only won the road game but also moved back into a five-way tie for first place in the Gulf South Conference at the halfway point of conference play. The Chargers also improved to 4-3 on the road with the win over West Florida (7-9 overall, 3-9 GSC).
It was a balanced effort for the Chargers, who led by 17 points at halftime. Jack Kostel had 14 points, four assists and five steals. Nobody else reached double digits for the Chargers but six players had at least eight points. Max Shulman, Daniel Saylor and Dalton Dodd each had nine points. Saylor had a team-high six rebounds. The Chargers outscored West Florida, 24-6, in bench points.
Valdosta State 96, West Alabama 84: Valdosta State turned a close game at halftime into a comfortable victory to snap the Tigers seven-game Gulf South Conference win streak. West Alabama (13-3 overall, 9-3 GSC) led by a point at halftime despite Valdosta State (12-6 overall, 8-4 GSC) hitting 66 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes.
The Blazers controlled the second half. West Alabama was outstanding on the glass, winning the rebound battle, 48-27. The Tigers had 27 offensive rebounds and 30 second chance points. Kuran Garner had 14 points and 11 rebounds for West Alabama. Justin Allison (18 points) and Shadarrion Allen (15 points) each had three 3-pointers for the Tigers.
West Alabama is part of the five-way tie for first place. Valdosta State is a game back after beating UAH and West Alabama this week.
Troy 66, Arkansas State 54: Zay Williams became the 10th player in Troy men’s basketball history to eclipse the 1,000-point mark in career scoring. Williams, a 6-foot-9 senior from Parker High in Birmingham, had 16 points in the game to lead the Trojans (11-6 overall, 3-1 conference) to their third consecutive Sun Belt Conference victory and a spot in a four-way tie at top of the SBC standings.
Troy’s Christian Turner had 13 points, marking his first double digit scoring game of the season. Arkansas State, which shot 32.8 percent from the field, fell to 9-8 overall and 1-3 in conference.
Texas State 64, South Alabama 58: The Jaguars (7-9 overall, 1-3 SBC) played well in the second half but were unable to come all the way back from a 15-point halftime deficit. Texas State (9-8 overall, 2-2 SBC) limited South Alabama to seven baskets and 33 percent shooting in the first half.
South Alabama played much better in the second half, hitting 55 percent from the field. Kevin Samuel had 13 of his 16 points after halftime. But Texas State held on for the win.
Bellarmine 75, Jacksonville State 62: The Gamecocks (7-10 overall, 0-4 ASUN) led by five points at halftime but Bellarmine (7-10 overall, 2-2 ASUN) shot its way to the comeback victory. Jacksonville State is still searching for its first ASUN victory.
Jacksonville State hit eight 3-pointers in the first half to build a 37-32 halftime advantage. The Gamecocks managed just three successful 3-pointers after halftime. Demaree King had 16 points and Skylear Potter had 14 points. Each had four 3-pointers.
Stetson 95, UNA 85: Freshman guard Jacari Lane was sensational for the Lions (9-8 overall, 1-3 ASUN). He scored 27 points on 10 of 15 shooting from the field and 7 of 7 at the free throw line while adding three assists, two steals and a rebound.
Lane scored the Lions’ last nine points of regulation and he twice gave UNA a five point lead in the final three minutes. But Stetson (9-6 overall, 4-0 ASUN) got the game into overtime by scoring the final five points of regulation. Stetson never trailed in overtime.
KJ Johnson (15 points) and Will Soucie (14 points, six rebounds) also reached double digits to UNA.
Jackson State 61, Alabama State 58: A gutsy late-game comeback by the Hornets fell short in the SWAC road loss. The Hornets used a 8-1 to pull within, 59-58, with 31 seconds left. After Jackson State built the lead to three, Alabama State had a pair of 3-pointers that didn’t go down.
Isaiah Range had 19 points and four rebounds while playing the entire 40 minutes for Alabama State. Jordan O’Neal had 13 points and five rebounds for the Hornets.
Alcorn State 89, Alabama A&M 76: The Bulldogs (6-10 overall, 2-1 SWAC) never overcame a first-half cold spell and they dropped their first SWAC game this season. Alcorn State improved to 4-10 overall and 1-1 in SWAC.
Dailin Smith had 15 points, three assists and a steal and Messiah Thompson had 10 points, three steals and two assists despite playing just 17 minutes because of foul trouble.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email steve.irvine@1819news.com.
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