CAU overcame a huge deficit in the 2nd half to defeat the University of Montevallo, 65-59.
Updated: Mar 13, 2021
The Lady Panthers (5-13, 4-6) hosted the Montevallo Falcons (14-3, 2-9) before a two game road trip.
CAU's Lady Panthers returning to the bench during a timeout.
Photo taken by Derrian Carter.
CAU’s Lady Panthers snapped their two-game losing streak after a 65-59 comeback victory over the University of Montevallo Falcons to improve their record to 6-12.
This was the second matchup of the season between these out of conference teams. When these two teams first met, the Falcons demolished the Lady Panthers in a 83-64 rout on Nov. 8, and the Falcons sought to do it again to improve their winning streak to three.
In the first half, Montevallo outplayed CAU, leading them at halftime 36-30. The Falcons played tough defense against the Lady Panthers, forcing 10 turnovers
in addition to having seven steals and three blocks in the first half. Further, the
Falcons made more field goals (13-36) and shot a better field goal percentage (36.1%) than the Lady Panthers in the first half, including two more made 3-pointers.
However, in the second half, CAU switched gears to play better on both sides of the ball as CAU outscored their opponent 35-23 in the second half. This offensive surge was led by Naomi Holloway, who shot 4-7 from the field in the second half. Holloway’s impressive second half included a go-ahead 3-pointer that gave CAU the lead late in the fourth and a dagger fast break lay-up to ice the game.
Holloway finished the game with 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal.
Photo taken by Derrian Carter.
In addition, CAU played excellent defense in the second half to hold Montevallo. The Falcons averaged 18 points a quarter in the first half, but in the second half, the Falcons only scored 10 points in the third quarter and 13 points in the fourth quarter. Moreover, CAU held Montevallo’s leading scorer, Shyan Flack, to only 10 points who averaged 15.9 points per game entering the contest. This defensive effort was led by Lakashia Hill and Autum Morings. Hill had three steals and one block in the second half, while Morings had one block. Hill finished the game with 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists, one block and four steals. Similarly, Morings finished with 10 points, nine rebounds including four offensive boards, two blocks and one steal.
As a team, CAU finished with a better field goal percentage than Montevallo with 35.9% (23-64). Despite Montevallo shooting a better 3-point field goal percentage (4-14, 28.6%) and free throw percentage (13-17, 76.5%), CAU made the same amount of 3-pointers and made more free throws than Montevallo. Additionally, Montevallo had eight more steals and five less turnovers than CAU, but CAU out rebounded Montevallo by 12 and had nine more assists.
CAU aims to get back on track in SIAC play as they go on the road to face Albany State University and Benedict College. The Lady Panthers will return home to play Paine College on Feb. 3 in L.S. Epps Gymnasium.
Head coach Tony Bailey motivating his team to finish the game.
Photo taken by Derrian Carter.
This story has been originally published in Clark Atlanta University's student newspaper - the Panther. For inquiries, email James McJunkins: jamesolaf@comcast.net