DAHLONEGA — Montevallo closed with a 13-4 rally over the final four minutes to edge the University of North Georgia men's basketball team, 79-78, in Peach Belt Conference action on Wednesday evening in Memorial Hall.
Juan Rivas led four Nighthawks in double figures with a team-best 20 points on an efficient 7-of-12 from the floor. Corey Green added 15 while Sean Brennan and Ebo Smith added 14 and 13 respectively.
Montevallo's Vaughn Autry knocked down 1-of-2 free throws with 10 seconds remaining and Ebo Smith of North Georgia narrowly missed on a 3-pointer in the final seconds to seal the Falcons' win.
The Nighthawks raced out to a 9-2 lead in the early stages of the first half following a jumper by T.J. Williams with 15:52 remaining in the half.
The Falcons responded with an impressive 17-4 run, capped with a layup by Bryant Orange, to take a 19-13 advantage with 8:44 left in the opening half. The six-point lead marked the Falcons' largest lead in the first half.
North Georgia went on a 9-0 run late in the second half to erase a one-point deficit and take a 74-66 lead following a pair of free throws by Michael Varrichione with 4:11 remaining in the game. The Nighthawks' eight-point lead marked their largest lead in the game.
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