KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— A 27-point fourth quarter and as many points from Caleigh Raby helped the Montreat women's basketball team to a 67-65 triumph over the Johnson University Royals on the road Wednesday evening. The team improved to 8-9 (5-7 AAC) with the win.
 
Baskets by four different Cavaliers allowed Montreat to jump out to a 10-6 advantage over the Royals 4:20 into the opening quarter. Fueled by accurate 3-point shooting, the Cavs stretched their lead to seven (15-8) following threes by Jessyka Leak, Tatiyana Cannon and Raby.
 
Johnson (1-14, 1-13 AAC) answered the Cavaliers' run with six consecutive points to finish the frame, closing the gap to 15-14 after 10 minutes.
 
The Royals continued their offensive stretch with a trio of buckets to start the second, including an old-fashioned 3-point play that completed a 13-0 run by the home team. Destiny Lewis ended the Montreat drought with a make beyond the arc before Raby finished through contact to pull the Cavaliers within four (25-21). Lewis added a jumper to trim the deficit to two (25-23) with 3:24 remaining in the half, but Johnson closed the period, in which it outscored Montreat 17-8, with a 6-0 spurt to go up 31-23 at the intermission.
 
Over the first two quarters, the Royals were more efficient from the field (14-31 FG) thanks to their 45.2 percent shooting, compared to the Cavs' 30.0 percent (9-30 FG) clip. After performing well from outside to start the contest, Montreat cooled to shoot 4-of-16 from deep in the first half and was out-rebounded 23-14.
 
Raby led the visitors with eight points through 20 minutes, while Lewis contributed with five points, four rebounds and three assists.
 
The Royals extended their lead to double digits early in the third; however, the Cavaliers stormed back, utilizing five points from Aebri Graham and four points by Raby to bring the score to 41-36 with 3:12 to go in the frame. Continued pressure by Montreat caused Johnson turnovers, which resulted in another four points from Raby, who had 16 through three quarters. Despite getting within three (43-40) following the last third-quarter points from Raby, a three by the Royals gave the home team a six-point edge with 10 minutes to play.
 
Though Johnson held the advantage early in the fourth, the Cavaliers scored on their initial three possessions of the final period, capped off by a Graham three that put the Cavs up 47-46 only 1:11 into the frame.
 
Battling back and forth with the Royals, Montreat utilized a plethora of scoring chances to keep Johnson at bay late in the competition. Leak nailed a triple, giving the Cavs a 52-48 lead midway through the fourth. As Johnson fought to a 54-53 advantage, the visitors responded with an 10-2 run to go up 63-56 with 2:50 left in regulation.
 
Raby and Leak powered the Cavaliers down the stretch, combining for 21 of the team's final 25 points. Raby, who ended 10-for-16 from the field, scored 11 of her team-high 27 points in the fourth quarter, while Leak tallied 10 of her 13 points in the last 8:54. Both players iced the game with free throws late as Montreat held on for its two-point triumph.

"I knew it would be a little rough coming into our first game after a 14-day break," said head coach Tim Lewis. "We found ourselves playing from behind the majority of the game, but our challenge to the team was to push through adversity and find ways to get defensive stops. Johnson never backed down and made some big shots; nevertheless, I'm proud our girls found a way to get a conference win on the road tonight," stated Lewis.
 
Johnson notched the slight edge in field goal percentage (44.3 percent; 27-61 FG), but Montreat forced 10 Royals turnovers, including a crucial one in the waning seconds to complete the comeback. Overall, the Cavs shot 81.9 percent (9-11 FG) in the fourth quarter to conclude the contest 26-of-60 (43.3 percent). The Cavaliers also resurrected their 3-point percentage, finishing with nine makes on 25 attempts (36.0 percent) after a perfect 4-for-4 in the final period.
 
Graham became the third Cav in double-digits in scoring with 10, while Lewis notched eight points, grabbed a game-high nine boards and led all players with seven assists to snap the team's four-game losing skid.
 
Women's basketball returns to McAlister Gymnasium for a contest against Brenau on Saturday. Tipoff is currently slated for 2:00 p.m.