CLINTON, Miss. --- MC women's basketball secured a 60-52 victory over the University of Montevallo at A.E. Wood Coliseum, on Thursday, Jan. 29, avenging an earlier setback this season. The Choctaws (7-11, 6-7 Gulf South Conference) recorded 11 steals and held the Falcons (3-15, 2-12 GSC) to nine points in the final quarter.
 
Karly Ivy achieved a career-high total of 24 points, converting four 3-pointers and securing a season-high total of seven rebounds. She becomes the third Choctaw this season with a 20-plus point performance.
 
Abigail Winslow added a season-high of 10 points and recorded a season-high of 11 rebounds, including a season-high of seven defensive rebounds and six made free throws. She is the third MC player this season to notch a double-double.
 
Faith Quick contributed with three steals, enhancing the team's defensive efforts. Valencia McFall posted nine points, marking at least nine total points in two consecutive games, and collected six rebounds.
 
The Choctaws established an early advantage in the first quarter by capitalizing on turnovers, converting six UM errors into five points. MC shot 35 percent from the field, bolstered by a perfect four-for-four performance from the free-throw line, and its four steals and a block by Taleah Anderson, helped build a seven-point advantage through the first 10 minutes of play.
 
MC saw their lead slip away in the second quarter as the Falcons outscored them 22-13, thanks in part to efficient shooting at 57 percent on eight of 14 attempts, including two 3-pointers. The Choctaws managed six field goals on 16 attempts, but Montevallo's bench contributed six points, adding depth to their scoring and gave the Purple and Gold a narrow two-point edge at the intermission, 33-31.
 
A strong defensive effort that forced six Falcons turnovers and created scoring opportunities as the Blue and Gold outscored its visitors from the Yellowhammer State in the third period. MC capitalized on these turnovers with four steals and converted four of four from the charity stripe. The Choctaws added extra scoring opportunities in the quarter as they totaled 11 rebounds, including four offensive boards to regain momentum and grab a 45-43 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
The Blue and Gold capitalized on free throw opportunities in the fourth quarter, converting seven of 10 attempts. They limited the Falcons to two field goals on 19 attempts, while blocking two shots and securing 10 defensive rebounds, effectively stifling the Falcons' offense, and outscoring them 15-9 and grabbing the eight-point victory.
 
Carlyn Burdette led the Falcons with 16 points. Kylee Norman added 12 points and grabbed four rebounds.
 
MC welcomes AUM to campus on Saturday, Jan. 31 for the second meeting between the two teams this season. The Choctaws look for a regular-season sweep, starting at 2 p.m.
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