GREENVILLE, S.C.— In the first game of a four-game road trip, the Montreat men's basketball team traveled to South Carolina to take on the Bob Jones University Bruins in a non-conference matchup. With a come-from-behind 96-93 victory, the Cavaliers improved to 3-1 on the season.
 
Early in the first half, neither team found much separation from the other in a back-and-forth period until BJU captured a four-point advantage (20-16) 8:24 into the frame. The Bruins eventually built their lead out to nine thanks to a 13-4 run over a span of 4:07.
 
Following the Bruins' stretch, the Cavaliers answered, trimming their deficit to three (34-31). Bob Jones immediately had the larger of the responses in the initial period, scoring 55 points to lead Montreat by as many as 12. A couple of late Cavs baskets, including a pair of threes by Noah Dunn, brought the visitors within eight (55-47) at the intermission.
 
Dunn captained the Cavaliers in the scoring category after 20 minutes of play with 12 points following the two triples. Jamiel Wright and JaJa Davis also ended the first in double-digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively. The Bruins used a 54.1 percent (20-37 FG) offensive edge over Montreat, who made 47.4 percent (18-38 FG) of its first-half efforts, to go up on the Cavs.
 
At the beginning of the second half, the home team expanded its advantage once more; however, the Cavaliers met the run by cutting its 14-point deficit to only a single point (72-71) midway through the frame. Using a 22-9 stretch, the Cavs clawed their way back into the competition with 10:29 left in regulation.
 
Bob Jones (0-2) handed Montreat several buckets down the stretch with sloppy turnovers, which played a major part in the outcome of the game, as the Cavaliers translated 27 opposing miscues into 26 points, to go up 87-86 with exactly four minutes remaining- the Cavs' first lead since 4:21 into the contest.
 
Missed free throws by the Bruins also aided the visitors. Seven key misses by BJU in the latter period allowed Montreat to pull ahead in the final minutes extending its advantage to seven in the closing moments. The Cavaliers held on, winning by three to capture their second straight victory.
 
Davis, who ended the evening with a season-best 25 points, contributed with 17 points in the second half. The senior knocked down eight of his 10 field goal attempts, while going 9-of-13 from the charity stripe. Dunn concluded the matchup with 20 points and Wright poured in a season-high 16. Eli Idlett and Jaylan Shelton rounded out the Cavaliers in double digits with 10 points each.
 
Men's Basketball continues its road trip with a contest at Columbia International University on Saturday. Tipoff against the Rams is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.