MONTGOMERY, Ala. --- In a comeback of historic proportion, the Auburn Montgomery men's basketball team overcame a 29-point deficit and outscored the University of Montevallo 52-25 in the second half to grab a dramatic 74-71 Gulf South Conference win over the Falcons on Saturday, Jan. 18 from the AUM Gymnasium. 
 
NOTEWORTHY
- With the win, AUM improves to 8-9 overall, and 3-6 in GSC action. 
- The Warhawks all-time series advantage over Montevallo improves to 31-27 with the victory, while the 2019-20 season series comes to a 1-1 split. 
 
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
- Maharrith Jackson logged his fourth double-double of the season, with a 29-point, 10-rebound performance. The junior forward knocked down eight of 13 shots, and 12 of 14 free throws.
- Darrion Taylor, Carlos Bell and Stanley Davis all scored 11 points for AUM. Bell brought in six rebounds, Taylor dished out five assists and Davis went 7-10 from the free throw line.
- Joshua Moore added six points and three rebounds, while Jeremiah Bozeman recorded four points and six rebounds. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons scored the game's first 13 points, and led by a tally of 15-2 by the time AUM could get their first two points from Bell at the free throw line at the 16:47 mark in the first.
- Montevallo would continue with their offensive success with a 12-2 run over the next seven minutes to lead 27-4 with 9:35 to go until halftime. 
- The Falcons would go on to grab their largest lead of the night at 29 points when they took a 41-12 lead with 3:55 left in half number one, but AUM would score 10 of the final 15 points of the half to trim their deficit to 46-22 at halftime.
- The Warhawks came out and cut their deficit to just 15 with a 13-6 run from the 16:26 mark to the 11:16 mark to trail 58-43.
- AUM would keep chipping away at their deficit by following up with an 18-4 run over the next five and a half minutes of game time, to bring their deficit to just one point at 62-61 with 5:42 left; courtesy of a fast-break layup from Bell.
- AUM took the lead for good the following possession, with Jackson knocking down a trey and sending the AUM Gymnasium into a frenzy as they went up 64-62 with 5:08 to go.
- The Warhawks would keep clicking along offensively over their next few possessions, and would take their largest lead of the night at 71-65 with 2:48 left. 
- Montevallo would not roll over, however. The Falcons knocked down a three-ball their next possession to make it a 71-68 lead for AUM, and go 1-2 from the free throw line the following possession to make AUM's lead just 71-69 with 2:04 to go. 
- A fast-break slam dunk by Jackson, followed by a 1-2 free throw line trip from Davis, would put AUM back up by five at 74-69 with 1:19 left. 
- The Falcons cut AUM's lead to three on the ensuing possession, and got the ball back with 28 seconds to go and a chance to tie the game. Montevallo's three-point shot would miss however, and give the Warhawks a chance to ice the game with a pair of free throws.
- The Warhawks missed both potential game-enders from the line, leaving the door open for the Falcons to tie the game up with a three on their final possession. Heavy pressure from the AUM defense would force a desperation heave from 40 feet out, however, as the shot would fall well short of the goal and seal the comeback victory for the Warhawks.
 
PLAYER QUOTE
 
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- The Orange and Black followed up a 25 percent (7-27) first half field goal percentage with a 57 percent (15-26) efficiency in half number two.
- The Warhawk defense held Montevallo to just 30 percent (9-30) on field goals in the second half, and 22 percent (2-9) on threes. 
- AUM went to the free throw line a season-high 35 times in the contest, while knocking down 27.
- The Warhawks used baseline basketball to climb their way back into the game, going 21-26 from the charity stripe in half number two while knocking down just one three-pointer. 
- The Orange and Black turned the ball over a season-low eight times, with just three turnovers in half number two. 
- Montevallo won the overall rebounding battle 38-36, however AUM out-rebounded the Falcons 22-14 in the second half. 
- The Warhawks scored 32 points in the paint, 20 points off of Montevallo turnovers, 18 fast break points, and 13 second chance points.
 
UP NEXT
- The Warhawks will return to the hardwood on Thursday, Jan. 23 with a 7:30 p.m. GSC contest at West Florida. 
 
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