MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat men's basketball team used a dominant second-half performance Tuesday night to grab its first win under Head Coach Anthony Barringer as the Cavaliers topped the St. Andrews University Knights, 94-73. With the triumph inside McAlister Gymnasium, the Cavs moved to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) contests.
 
Three-point shooting powered the Montreat offense early as Tyler Rodrigue, Jamiel Wright and Tyler Murray combined for six triples just 5:53 into the contest, vaulting the Cavaliers out to a 20-9 lead; however, an 8-0 SAU spurt over the ensuing 3:49 quickly trimmed Montreat's lead down to three points (20-17).
 
Gabriel Rivera ended a scoring drought of over four minutes for the Cavs, and another 3-pointer, this time by Collin Mills, put the hosts back in front by nine points (26-17). And yet, despite surrendering eight Cavalier triples in less than 14 minutes of game action, the Knights didn't waver.
 
St. Andrews (0-2, 0-2 AAC) went on a 10-0 run over 2:28 to take their second lead of the game (27-26), and the visitors seemed poised to enter the halftime break with a lead. Fortunately for the Cavaliers, Djongo-Alan Tchatchouang was ready to provide a spark off the bench. The senior from Breuil-Bois-Robert, France was responsible for Montreat's next 11 points and he went a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor to guide the Cavs into the half tied at 39-39.
 
Montreat registered assists on 12 of its 14 makes from the floor in the opening frame as the Cavaliers shot 40.0 percent overall (14-35 FG) and 44.0 percent from 3-point range (11-25 3pt FG). The Cavs did not make a free throw in the initial half (0-2 FT). Meanwhile, the Knights shot a similar 15-for-36 (41.7 percent) from the field, and the visitors utilized a perfect 5-for-5 showing at the charity stripe to cancel out any 3-point deficiencies (4-13 3pt FG; 30.8 percent).
 
Tchatchouang's 11 points led all Cavaliers at the break, while Rodrigue (nine points) and Wright (eight points) weren't far behind. Wright tallied four first-half rebounds to pace the Cavs, and Mike Flenory dished out three assists.
 
Montreat spent the first seven minutes of the second half holding a one or two-possession lead over the Knights, but a Rivera steal and layup at the 7:01 mark of the frame put the Cavs ahead by seven points (57-50). Nine SAU turnovers in the second half helped Montreat get out on the break, and they repeatedly led to good looks as the hosts shot 60.0 percent in the period (18-30 FG).
 
Another steal with 7:47 left in regulation allowed Jarden Maze to get to the rim. There, the Sandersville, Ga. native finished through contact for the old-fashioned 3-point play, handing Montreat a double-digit lead it never relinquished (69-57). The Cavaliers spent the final seven-and-a-half minutes gradually expanding their lead out to as large as 22 points (90-68) as the hosts seized their first win in the Barringer era, 94-73.
 
"I can't say enough about this win," Barringer shared following the victory. "My first win at a new school is obviously a cool experience, but this one is really special because of everything that I have experienced over the last four years. I am just thankful to the Lord for allowing me the opportunity to coach college basketball at a place that allows me to be unapologetically myself every day."
 
Unselfish play aided the Cavaliers in the second half like it did in the first. Overall, Montreat racked up 22 assists on 32 made baskets, shooting 49.2 percent overall (32-65 FG). The hosts also managed to stay hot from behind the arc, drilling 17 triples en route to a 45.9 percent clip (17-37 3pt FG). Also, after failing to make a free throw in the opening 20 minutes, the Cavs hit 13 in the second frame to end 13-for-20 (65 percent). On the flip side, the Knights struggled from the field, making just 26 of their 69 field-goal attempts (37.7 percent). SAU also went just 6-for-25 from 3-point range (24.0 percent). Montreat finished the night with edges over St. Andrews in points off turnovers (20-16), fastbreak points (15-10) and bench points (39-30).
 
"I'm really proud of our guys," Barringer said. "We started off really hot, and then we cooled off and struggled to get stops for a while, but the guys stayed the course and trusted in our game plan."
 
Rodrigue was one of four Cavs to score in double figures, leading the way for the victors with 19 points. Mills (18 points), Wright (16 points) and Tchatchouang (11 points) joined Rodrigue with double-digit point totals. Rodrigue also hauled in a team-high six boards, while Flenory paced Montreat with five assists. Seven different Cavaliers notched at least two assists on the night.
 
"It was also really good to get Jamiel and Chris [Moore] back in the lineup—we look different with those guys on the floor," Barringer added. "The guys that I get to coach every day are awesome young men, and they work so hard for our staff on a daily basis. I'm excited to see what the future holds for this team."
 
The Montreat men's basketball team hits the road for the first time this Saturday when it takes on the Point University Skyhawks. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in West Point, Ga.