MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat women's basketball team hosted the Milligan University Buffaloes in its Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opener on Saturday, falling to the visitors over the course of four quarters, 82-54. With the defeat, the Cavaliers dropped to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in AAC play.
 
After jumping out to an early 6-0 lead, the Cavaliers were quickly overtaken by Milligan. The Buffaloes ended the first period on a 19-2 run, thanks in large part to hot shooting from behind the arc. Milligan hit five of seven threes in the opening 10 minutes, putting the Cavaliers in a 19-8 hole after the first quarter.
 
Montreat chipped away at the Milligan advantage in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to five points (21-16) after a Mariya Williams jumper. The Cavaliers managed to shoot 44 percent from the field in the second frame while holding Milligan to 29 percent, including just 1-for-8 from 3-point range. Despite narrowing the gap, the Cavaliers still entered the halftime break down 31-23.
 
The Cavaliers shot 36 percent in the first half, but failed to hit from behind the arc. Montreat also took just two shots from the free throw line through 20 minutes of play. Williams led the way in scoring with nine points.
 
Milligan (1-3, 1-0 AAC) rebuilt its lead out to double digits in the third quarter as it shifted focus away from shooting behind the arc and toward working the ball into the paint. The renewed emphasis paid off as the Buffaloes earned 12 attempts at the charity stripe in the third quarter alone. Montreat closed the gap to single digits late in the frame (50-41), but three Jaycie Jenkins free throws extended the score line to out to 53-41 by the quarter's end.
 
A 19-4 Milligan run in the opening five minutes of the fourth quarter helped the Buffaloes close out the contest. Milligan grew the lead to as large as 32 (82-50) as it topped Montreat and spoiled the Cavaliers AAC opener, 82-54.
 
"Milligan played a good all-around game, shooting the ball and capitalizing on our defensive lapses," head coach Tim Lewis said. "We got the looks we wanted, but the ball didn't go in. In those times, we have to find ways to get stops."
 
The Cavaliers shot 35 percent from the field and hit 3-of-15 3-point attempts against Milligan. The Buffaloes hit 50 percent of their shots overall, including 11 of its 24 3-pointers. Caleigh Raby led the Cavaliers in scoring with 19 points, while Williams tallied a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double.
 
Lewis added, "Not the outcome we desired, but we have to make some adjustments and get ready for next week."
 
Montreat women's basketball now turns its attention to a road AAC clash on Tuesday at Tennessee Wesleyan. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m. in Athens, Tenn.