MONTREAT, N.C.— Caleigh Raby scored the 1,000^th point of her career during a Saturday afternoon contest against Kentucky Christian University in McAlister Gym; however, the career milestone wasn't enough as the Knights held on in the waning seconds, 75-73, to drop the Cavaliers to 6-5 (4-4 AAC) on the year.
 
Kentucky Christian (6-5, 4-3 AAC) scored the opening basket of the game, but Raby and the Cavaliers took control of matters moments later. Needing just three points to reach 1,000 heading into the day, Raby drilled a triple to put the Cavaliers up 6-2 and claim her momentous achievement.
 
"I'm so proud of Raby in how she has been a consistent part of this program ever since she put on the Cavalier uniform," said head coach Tim Lewis. "Anyone who knows her knows how much she puts into her game."
 
The Cavaliers used that momentum and another Raby 3-pointer to build its lead to as large as nine (17-8) in the opening quarter. But, Kentucky Christian didn't go away. A couple of Jenna Blakely triples kept the Knights within shouting distance as the Cavaliers closed out the first quarter with a 22-16 lead.
 
Montreat took an aggressive mindset into the second quarter, attacking the basket early and often to the tune of nine free throw attempts. A 19-5 stretch over 7:23 saw the Cavaliers establish a 17-point lead (41-24), their largest lead of the game. The Knights made a late surge to close the first half, but the Cavaliers still held a double-digit lead (42-31) entering the break.
 
Mariya Williams nearly recorded a double-double in the first half, accumulating 14 points and eight rebounds in her 18 minutes on the floor. Raby also had 14 points through two quarters. As a team, the Cavaliers shot 45.2 percent (14-31 FG) from the floor and 38.5 percent (5-13 3pt FG) from 3-point range.
 
Blakely's hot 3-point shooting aided the Knights as they tried to claw their way back to within a few possessions. Scoring 14 points with four 3-point baskets, Blakely had KCU battling. The Cavaliers struggled to convert from the field in the third quarter, but 10 offensive rebounds over 10 minutes helped stifle the Knights and hinder their charge. Montreat entered the fourth quarter clinging to a 58-51 advantage.
 
Kentucky Christian, who hadn't led since 2-0 less than a minute into the first quarter, seized its second lead of the game thanks to a 15-0 run in just 3:10. With the Knights suddenly up 64-58, it was the Cavs' turn to battle back. The Cavaliers got within three points or less on three occasions over the final 4:17 of regulation, including another Raby 3-pointer to trail 75-73. A KCU turnover seconds later gave Montreat a chance to complete the comeback, but Montreat's three shot attempts in the waning seconds wouldn't drop, and the Knights survived by two.
 
The Cavaliers grabbed as many offensive rebounds (26) as Kentucky Christian did defensive rebounds, but second-half free throws and Blakely's 3-point shooting proved to be the difference. The Knights hit 15 of their 18 attempts (83.3 percent) at the charity stripe in the second half, and Blakely drilled all six of her 3-point shots over the final two quarters.
 
Overall, Montreat shot 34.6 percent (27-78 FG) from the field and 29 percent (9-31 3-pt FG) from behind the arc. Williams recorded her fourth double-double this season, leading Montreat in both points (25) and rebounds (17). Raby and Vaniyah Petty joined Williams in double-digit scoring with 19 and 10 points, respectively. Jessyka Leak recorded a team-high five assists in the contest.
 
Women's basketball returns to action on Sunday for a non-conference clash with Warren Wilson College. Tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m. in McAlister Gym.