Lady Railsplitters Sneak Past Falcons, 64-60

HARROGATE, Tenn. – Former Gulf South Conference rival and current South Atlantic Conference member Lincoln Memorial University (5-3) hung on late to down the University of Montevallo women’s basketball team (4-5), 64-60. The Falcons led most of the first half but the Lady Railsplitters were able to take the lead late in the period and hung on the entire second half as they hit key shots down the stretch. UM was led by junior Tiffany McClure (Montgomery, Ala./G.W. Carver) and senior Jessica Collins (Jackson, Miss./Callaway) who scored 14 and 12 points, respectively. They also finished first and second in rebounding with seven and six, respectively. Junior Shavonne Seymore (Hartsville, S.C./Hartsville) also chipped in six rebounds to tie with Collins.

Senior Carrie Parrott (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Siegel) and junior Taylor Welch (Salem, Ill./Salem Community) each had eight points.

The Falcons outshot the Lady Railsplitters hitting 42.6 percent of their shots compared to 41.1 for LMU. The Lady Railsplitters capitalized on their trips to the free throw line as they hit 14-of-19 from the charity stripe while the Falcons hit 9-of-14.

LMU scored the first basket of the game and UM answered with back-to-back jumpers from Parrott and McClure to take a 4-2 lead. From UM’s first basket of the game the Falcons either led or were tied up until the 1:05 mark of the first half as LMU hit a three to take a one-point lead. The Lady Railsplitters finished the period off with a pair of free throws and a lay-up to enter halftime with a five-point advantage.

The second half was the exact opposite of the first with LMU in control and the Falcons playing catch-up. With 5:40 left in the game Collins hit a three to cut the LMU lead to just two but UM was unable to convert on the next three possessions which allowed LMU to maintain control. A jumper by Collins at the 2:37 mark once again cut the LMU lead to just two. LMU missed just one shot from that point on and did not turn the ball over as they went on to outscore the Falcons six to four in the final 2:30 to hang on to a 64-60 victory.

The Falcons will return to action Monday, Jan. 3 at 2:00 p.m. as they travel to the University of West Alabama for a non-conference contest.