MONTEVALLO, Ala. – Spring Hill College came up short in its season opener, falling on the road the University of Montevallo, 87-76, in the GSC/SIAC Challenge.
Elise Reilly and
Tiffany Valentine led Spring Hill on the night with 24 points each. Reilly's attack came mostly from behind the arc, knocking down seven 3-pointers to add to her career record (177).
After falling behind 6-0 to start the game, Spring Hill used a Reilly and Valentine put together a 13-2 run to lead by five points, 13-8. The lead grew to as many as seven points in the first quarter, but Montevallo scored 12-straight points to open the second half and flip the lead, 31-24. The Lady Falcons carried a 43-36 lead into halftime.
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Katie Krout layup with four minutes to play in the third quarter pulled Spring Hill within four points, 58-54, but every time the Badgers made it a two-possession game, Montevallo stretched its lead back out.
Spring Hill chipped away at the Lady Falcons' lead in the fourth quarter. Reilly hit her final 3-pointer of the night with 2:36 to play to make it a 2-point game, 76-74. Free throws proved to be the difference down the stretch, as Spring Hill went 0-4 from the line when it was a four-point game and Montevallo closed out the final two minutes hitting 8-of-10 free throws.
Krout added 10 points and seven rebounds, while
Brandy Lee scored eight to follow Reilly and Valentine in scoring. Reilly also led SHC with six assists.
Nautika Philpot led Montevallo with 24 points, followed by Savannah Lee's 19 points, 14 from Aaliyah Rice, 11 by Kiya Sain and 10 by Kourtnie Smith.
Montevallo won the rebound battle, 49-34.
Spring Hill (0-1) will travel to Auburn University Montgomery on Saturday at 2 p.m. on Day 2 of the GSC/SIAC Challenge.
