WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.— The Montreat women's basketball team dropped a non-conference showdown on the road at Carolina University Monday afternoon by a score of 70-49. With the defeat, the Cavs moved to 7-8 on the season.
 
Turnovers hampered the Cavaliers, who gave up eight possessions in the opening quarter, allowing the Bruins to establish an early 6-0 lead. Carolina (4-7) then capitalized on offensive rebounding to go on a run. The home team closed the first frame holding a 22-10 edge after 10 minutes largely due to five offensive boards and a 14-4 stretch.
 
Montreat then trimmed its deficit, which was once 14, down to nine just two minutes into the second following the latter of Aebri Graham's two first-half triples; however, CU extended its lead immediately back to double-digits. The Cavs made another quick 5-0 run fueled by a three from Tatiyana Cannon and a bucket by Vaniyah Petty, but the Bruins answered to go up 35-23 at the half. Petty led the Cavaliers with seven points as six different players scored for Montreat in the initial two quarters of play.
 
Another close quarter saw the Cavaliers stay within striking distance of the Bruins as the visitors hit their opening three shot attempts in the third period. Whittling their deficit down to 10 (39-29) with 6:43 remaining in the frame, the Cavs forced Carolina into six misses from the field during the run. Petty and Jessyka Leak both notched two baskets, but a 1-of-11 shooting stretch ailed Montreat, while CU distanced itself to a 49-34 advantage after three.
 
The Cavaliers struggled to defend down low on the afternoon, which proved costly in the fourth quarter. The Cavs, who were outscored 44-22 in the paint in the contest, saw the Bruins, who made only one 3-pointer, go 8-for-13 from two in the final period to seal the matchup in their favor. Carolina also converted 27 Montreat turnovers into 35 points.
 
Petty captained the Cavs in scoring with 11 points, while Leak and Raby each notched eight. Leak collected a team-high nine rebounds.
 
Montreat shot 50 percent (6-12 FG) in the fourth quarter, but 35.2 percent (19-54 FG) overall. CU used its 61.5 percent fourth-frame performance to shoot 44.4 percent (28-63 FG) for the game.
 
Women's basketball will take almost three weeks off from games for the holidays before an exhibition at Western Carolina University on Jan. 2 at 2:00 p.m. The Cavs return to regular action on Jan. 5 as the team hosts Truett McConnell. Tipoff for that contest is slated for 5:30 p.m.