MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat women's basketball team played its third a contest of the 2022-23 season Tuesday night and remained perfect on the year with a 73-54 victory over the St. Andrews University Knights inside McAlister Gymnasium. With the triumph, the Cavaliers improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) action.
 
Montreat immediately put pressure on St. Andrews thanks to its high-intensity play. As a result, the Cavaliers jumped out to an early 9-2 advantage due to a 7-0 run. In a back-and-forth frame, the Cavs eventually pushed their lead out to nine (19-10) and held on to a 19-13 edge through 10 minutes after a 15-9 advantage on the glass. Six different Cavaliers scored in the frame as Montreat spread the ball around offensively.
 
In the second quarter, the Cavs turned the ball over, allowing SAU to keep the score close for much of the period. Back-to-back triples from Sydney Clevenger, who led the team with nine points at the half, as well as a bucket by Adrianna Gullette extended the Montreat lead to nine (33-24) midway through the period, but the Knights crept within a basket following a 7-0 stretch. Despite 15 first-half turnovers, the Cavaliers utilized 7-for-14 shooting in the second to hold a 36-31 lead entering the intermission.
 
Mariya Williams grabbed eight first-half rebounds, the most by any player, while Makayla Thompson and Gullette each collected a trio of steals. The home side connected on 14 of their 33 attempts (42.4 percent), including a 4-for-12 effort (33.3 percent) from deep, while SAU made just 37.8 percent of its tries (14-37 FG) and one of its seven threes (14.3 percent).
 
Montreat continued to share the ball effectively in the third quarter, where the Cavs outscored the Knights 19-6 to grow their edge to an insurmountable one. The Cavaliers, who recorded assists on 21 of their 30 baskets, started the third quarter on a tear. The home side scored the initial 12 points of the frame and held SAU without a field goal make over the first 6:59 to go on a 16-1 run. After the offensive surge, the Cavs led 55-37 with 10 minutes to play.
 
In the final period, St. Andrews (0-2, 0-2 AAC) trimmed its deficit to 13; however, the Cavaliers responded with 12 unanswered over the ensuing 3:51 to grow their advantage to its largest of the competition at 25 (73-48).
 
Four Cavs ended the game in double digits in scoring, led by Williams, who concluded the night with 16. Thompson and Virginia Edmondson each poured in 12 points, while Clevenger rounded out the Montreat athletes in double figures with 11. Williams completed a double-double by snatching a game-best 14 boards. All 12 Cavaliers who saw action grabbed a rebound, Thompson added a team-high four steals, Edmondson led the team with four assists and Williams stuffed a game-high three opponent shot attempts.

"I was very proud of our effort again tonight," said head coach Josh Thompson. "Good things happen when you work hard and our team is learning that right now."
 
Overall, Montreat held advantages in most statistical categories, while also outshooting the Knights on the afternoon. The Cavaliers shot 41.7 percent (30-72 FG) compared to SAU's 35.9 percent (23-64 FG) and made seven 3-pointers (7-26 3-pt FG) to the visitors' three (3-20 3-pt FG). The Cavs held a stout rebounding edge (52-37), including 19-11 on the offensive glass, took the lead in assists (21-8) and registered a slight advantage in turnovers forced (25-24).
 
Women's basketball now heads on the road to Georgia, where the Cavs will play the Point University Skyhawks on Saturday. Tipoff is slated for 2:00 p.m.