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.

NOTES
- Terrell Lipkins led all scorers with 27 points and a team-best eight rebounds. Orange and Tevin Worthy added 19 and 10 respectively. 

- Montevallo now leads the all-time series, 14-9. 

- The loss marks the eighth consecutive for the Nighthawks.
 
NEXT
The Nighthawks hit the road again on Saturday, Jan. 30 as they travel to face Lander at 3:30 p.m. in Greenwood, S.C.