MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The Lander women's basketball team led by as many as 25 points Saturday afternoon and used a game-high 23 points from Jamelia James and a Portia McCray double-double to hold on for a 74-71 Peach Belt Conference victory over the University of Montevallo at Trustmark Arena.

Lander improves to 7-6 overall and 2-2 in the PBC, while Montevallo drops to 3-8, 0-4.

James connected on 8-of-22 field goals, including 5-of-12 threes and 2-of-3 free throws to lead Lander. Alyssia Watkins added 16 points, McCray 12 points and a game-high 16 rebounds, Ty'hesha Reynolds 11 points and six assists, and Alexis Armstrong nine points, eight rebounds and five steals.

Taylor Beverly and Shay Bonner each scored 25 points for the Falcons. Beverly also had 15 rebounds.

The Lady Bearcats connected on 25-of-77 field goals (32.5 percent), 8-of-24 threes (33.3 percent) and 16-of-23 free throws (69.6 percent).

Montevallo made 25-of-63 field goals (39.7 percent), 5-of-18 threes (27.8 percent) and 16-of-25 foul shots (64 percent).

After battling through four ties, the last at 27-27 with 8:43 left in the first half, Lander went on a 16-2 run to take a 43-29 advantage with 2:07 left in the first half. The Bearcats held a 45-32 advantage at halftime then stretched the lead to 63-38 on a pair of Watkins free throws with 15:34 leading for its largest lead at 25 points.

The Falcons staged a furious comeback as they outscored Lander 30-5 to tie the game at 68-all with 1:22 left.

James hit a three with 1:00 remaining to give the Lady Bearcats a 71-68 lead, then the Lady Bearcats extended it to 73-68 on a pair of McCray free throws with 24 seconds left.

Montevallo's Jacquelyn nailed a three to cut it to 73-71 with 11 seconds left, but Reynolds hit the first of two free throws with nine seconds left to secure the win.