The Montevallo girls basketball team overwhelmed Jemison on Monday, 55-19.

The Panthers, in their home opener, didn’t score until a lay-in by Shelby Lopez with 3:49 remaining in the first quarter. The Bulldogs (4-1) had built an 11-point lead by that time.

Alisha Gentry scored eight points in the first half for the visitors, and Amber Cardwell had 12 points for the game.

Cookie Agee, Shelby Lopez, Katika Nunn and Emily Smithey each had four points for Jemison.

Montevallo boys 74, Jemison 67

A late Jemison comeback attempt came up short on Monday as Montevallo’s Brandon Lilly put the game out of reach with a 3-pointer from the left corner with 28 seconds remaining in the game.

The Bulldogs (1-1) had a 12-point lead until Jemison’s Cody Greer scored eight fourth-quarter points to spark a run.

The Panthers (0-1) cut the lead to three points at 68-65 when Isa Bentley hit two free throws with 1 minute to play, but the hosts could get no closer.

The foul shots were a common theme. The two teams combined for 38 fouls in a fast-paced game mostly devoid of defense. The offense wasn’t great, either, as the squads made little effort to run a halfcourt attack.

Jemison missed several easy shots and connected on only six of 26 free throw attempts.

Montevallo’s Brandon Lilly led all scorers with 28 points.

Christian Briscoe scored 22 points for Jemison. Teddy Poe led the Jemison rebounders with 10 on the night.