MONTREAT, N.C.— Sunday afternoon in McAlister Gymnasium, the Montreat women's basketball team utilized a 60-42 triumph over the Warren Wilson College Owls to improve to 7-5 on the year.
 
Warren Wilson (2-5) started the contest with tremendous shooting from the field, knocking down seven of their initial 11 attempts to jump out to a 16-9 advantage over the Cavaliers midway through the first quarter.
 
Despite the hot shooting from the visitors, Montreat stepped up defensively over the ensuing quarter and a half. Following the Owls' made layup with 4:47 left in the opening frame, the Cavaliers held WWC without a make for the rest of the frame, outscoring Warren Wilson 8-1 to end the period.
 
The Cavaliers continued to pressure the Owls throughout the course of the second quarter as well. Montreat, who forced 15 turnovers in the first half, 10 in the second quarter alone, forced 12 missed shots by the visitors in the period. WWC, who went 0 of 12 from the field, was outscored by the Cavs 15-0 in the 10-minute stretch as Montreat took a 32-17 advantage into halftime.
 
"I was really impressed with our effort and intensity in the second quarter," mentioned head coach Tim Lewis. He added, "Our play on defense over those minutes put us in a good position in the game and helped us on the offensive side of the court."
 
At the half, Caleigh Raby and Mariya Williams each poured in a game-high nine points, while Raby collected eight rebounds. Montreat shot 10 of 33 (30.3 percent) over the first two frames, but held Warren Wilson to just 23.3 percent (7-30 FG), including misses on its last 19 shot attempts.
 
The second quarter proved to be the difference in the contest as the visitors bounded back in the third quarter. Both squads notched their best period of the competition, with the Cavaliers hitting 46.7 percent (7-15 FG) of their shots and the Owls draining seven field goals as well (7-17 FG). Vaniyah Petty tallied six of her eight points in the third, and Montreat went into the last frame with a 48-32 lead.
 
Though the Cavs only made three buckets in the fourth quarter, another strong defensive frame sealed the matchup in the home team's favor by 18 points. Warren Wilson struggled to connect, making one of 15 shots in the last 10 minutes of a comeback attempt. Overall, the Cavaliers held their opposition to a 24.2 percent (15-62 FG) day and a mere 7.1 percent (1-14 3-pt FG) showing from deep.
 
On Montreat's side, Raby and Williams each tallied team bests in points (14) and rebounds (8). Eleven different players scored for the Cavaliers, who made 20 baskets on 60 shots (33.3 percent) and shot 13.3 percent from three (4-30 FG). Alaina McPherson added six points and seven boards in 13 minutes of action, while Triniti Lockhart contributed with five points, six rebounds and four assists. Raby and Petty both registered four steals.
 
Women's Basketball completes its three-game homestand with a conference contest against Union on Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.