The Shaw men’s basketball team fought hard but fell to #3 Montevallo 82-71 at Spaulding Gymnasium. 

Montevallo (9-0) jumped out to an early 17-8 lead on a three-pointer by James Hall with 14 minutes 18 seconds remaining in the first half.  The Falcons would extend their lead to as much as 18 points as Tshaka Shambulia’s lay-up at the 1:39 mark of the half put Montevallo up 45-27.  The Falcons shot a sizzling 61.5 percent in the first half and limited the Bears to 32.4 percent shooting in taking a 47-30-halftime lead.

The Falcons extended their lead to 57-38 on another three-pointer by Hall with 14:18 remaining in the game.  But Shaw (1-6) turned up the defensive pressure and went on a 16-4 run over six plus minutes.  The Bears forced Montevallo into 1-of-11 shooting over that time frame and four turnovers.  Jason Coleman’s lay-up with 7:49 remaining cut the Bear deficit to 61-54.  Shaw continued to keep it close, as they forced the Flacons to shoot 27.3 percent from the field in the second half, but seven points is as close as the Bears would come.

Nate Aaron had a team high 16 points for the Bears and James Rosebud recorded a double double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.  Hall led five Falcons who scored in double figures with 19 points.    

Shaw will face Columbus State in the on December 17 in Jacksonville, FL.