Badgers Fall In Home Opener To Falcons

MOBILE, Ala. – The Spring Hill College men's basketball team (1-3) fell in its home opener to Montevallo (2-1), 99-92, at the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center on Friday.
 
Both teams shot 46 percent from the floor in the first half, but it was the Badgers' 40 percent shooting from beyond the arc that gave them the edge as they carried a 45-44 lead into halftime.
 
Spring Hill started the second half strong, jumping ahead six points in the opening minutes. The Falcons clawed their way back and tied the game with just under 15 minutes left. SHC regained the lead one more time before Montevallo took it back and jumped ahead eight points with 10 minutes left. The Falcons never looked back and held on to defeat the Badgers, 99-92.
 
Overall, Montevallo shot 57 percent from the floor, 48 percent from distance and 81 percent from the free throw line. Spring Hill kept things close shooting 47 percent from the floor, 41 percent from beyond the arc and won the battle at the charity stripe, shooting 82 percent.

Steven Lyles led the Badgers with 27 points while going 10-21 and dishing out two assists. Timothy Reilly collected a game-leading nine rebounds, led Spring Hill at the free throw line (5-6) and contributed 17 points. Walter Peggs Jr. also recorded double-digits in scoring with 16 points.
 
Game Details
Date: Nov. 15
Time: 7 p.m.
Venue (Location): Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center (Mobile, Ala.)
 
Results
Montevallo 99, Spring Hill 92
Records: Montevallo (2-1, 0-0 GSC), Spring Hill (1-3, 0-0 SIAC)
 
They Said It
Head Coach Craig Kennedy
On the game
"Obviously disappointed in the loss and the loss of Bo Barber in that second half. It really hurts us because he's a veteran guard, but real credit to Jaden Emory and Jordan Franklin. They played really tough in a tough environment. Credit to Montevallo, they had a good game plan. We weren't expecting the press because they haven't really showed that at all. Kind of flustered us a little and then we got a hold of it and got going. Montevallo played tough and they hit some big-time shots and free throws. Brandon Fussell is a tough little bugger. He had not shot free throws well and he stepped up and hit them really big. We've been shooting 81 percent from the free throw line up until now and our opponents have been shooting 89 percent. We're going to have to rebound from this, you don't want to lose your home opener, but we play an exciting brand of basketball. We get up and down the floor and we take some wild shots sometimes with Walter. Steven Lyles has just been doing a yeoman's favorite work out there, playing multiple positions on the floor. We're excited for the rest of the year. South Alabama is going to be a big game Monday and then West Florida coming back in here and then we get rocking and rolling in conference. We appreciate all of the students who came out and supported us tonight."
 
On Steven Lyles' performance
"He's a senior, he's a captain, he's a leader in the community, he's a leader in the school. He's just letting the game come to him a little better now, not forcing it. I'm so happy for him because he's a kid who works so hard. He's just such a good leader. So, it's nice to see it come together with him. He's kind of getting in the zone a little bit now. I'm just really happy for him."
 
Looking ahead
"This is going to be a different West Florida team because they're a year in with their new coach. South's always tough. I mean, they're a Division-I team. They've got Division-I players. So, they're bigger, faster and stronger. We're going to have to scrap to compete. What I'm looking for is how do we execute and how do we compete? We've got to execute better than we did today in some areas. It's a good prep for the West Florida game. We have no easy games on our schedule. We don't play any chumps, because our goal at the end of the year is to win a conference championship and go to the NCAA Tournament. The only way you do that is by playing against good competition."
 
Up Next
The Badgers make the trip down Old Shell Road on Monday to face South Alabama. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
FOLLOW THE BADGERS
For complete coverage of Spring Hill men's basketball, follow the Badgers on social media @shchoops (X), /SHCBADGERS (Facebook), @shchoops (Instagram) or visit the official home of Spring Hill athletics at shcbadgers.com