ATHENS, Tenn.— In a conference battle against the Tennessee Wesleyan University Bulldogs, the Montreat women's basketball team dropped a tight 78-72 road matchup after trailing by 14 points in the first half. With the tough defeat, the Cavs fell to 1-3 (0-2 AAC) on the young season.
 
Three early turnovers by the Cavaliers allowed the Bulldogs to scored 12 of the first 15 points of the contest, nine off those miscues. Extra possessions aided the home team, who started the matchup 8-of-9 from the field and 4-of-4 from deep, to a 14-point edge; however, the Cavaliers trimmed their deficit to only eight at the end of the first thanks to seven points from Caleigh Raby.
 
Back-to-back Montreat makes to begin the second period cut the TWU lead to only six, but the Bulldogs battled to expand their advantage up to 14 again midway through the frame. The teams traded blows for the remainder of the opening half, resulting in a Bulldogs' 13-point edge with two quarters to play.
 
In the first half, Tennessee Wesleyan (2-1, 1-0 AAC) knocked down 63 percent (17-27 FG) of its attempts and six of eight (75 percent) 3-point tries, while Montreat shot 38.7 percent (12-31 FG) from the field and only 22.2 percent (2-9) from three. TWU translated 12 visiting team turnovers into 17 points to create its advantage.
 
After both teams slowed in the initial portion of the third quarter, 3-pointers by Raby and Destiny Lewis cut the Bulldogs' lead to single digits with 5:30 left in the frame. The Cavaliers' offensive barrage continued following 3-point makes by Lewis and Aebri Graham that capped a 15-2 stretch to pull Montreat within three. Utilizing a 23-14 third quarter, including eight points from Mariya Williams and seven from Lewis, the Cavs ended the period down a mere four (58-54).
 
Despite the early turnovers, Montreat rebounded with authority, producing extra possessions and scoring opportunities in the second half of the competition. The Cavs grabbed 39 boards, 19 offensive, to TWU's 27 total rebounds, which allowed the visitors to attempt 24 more shots in the contest.
 
Williams brought the Cavaliers within two with a second-chance layup to start the final quarter before tying the game at 66 with 3:41 to go. Although Montreat leveled the competition late, the Bulldogs used a quick 8-2 run to hold on in the last moments. Williams concluded the evening with game bests in both points (22) and rebounds (13) to collect her second straight double-double.

"We came out slow this afternoon and found ourselves in a hole, playing from behind," started head coach Tim Lewis. He mentioned, "I'm proud of our players for the tremendous grit and effort they displayed, giving us opportunities at the end of the game. In close games, details matter and we have to get better in the small things."
 
Raby added 16 points, while Lewis finished with 15, a career high, due to a 4-of-9 performance from downtown. Jessyka Leak snatched 12 rebounds, six offensive, and contributed with eight points.
 
Women's basketball now hosts Johnson University – Tennessee on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.