KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— The Montreat men's basketball team went on the road to Knoxville, Tenn. Saturday afternoon for its Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) battle with the Johnson University-Tennessee Royals. Thanks to a quick start and high-scoring second half, the Cavs came away with a 99-86 triumph to improve to 5-4 on the season and 4-3 in Appalachian Athletic Conference matchups.
 
Three Johnson turnovers and seven quick points from Tyler Rodrigue helped the Cavaliers score the first 12 points of the contest over the initial 2:18 of the game. Though the Royals cut into their deficit with their opening buckets of the competition, Montreat responded, knocking down eight of their first 11 tries from the field to jump out to an 18-7 advantage.
 
Efficiency enabled the Cavs to extend their lead prior to the midway point of the first frame. The Cavaliers connected on 10 of their 15 2-point attempts during the 10-minute span, including nine points from Jamiel Wright, as the team controlled the matchup 29-11.
 
After a longball from JU brought the spread to 15, Montreat rattled off another impressive stretch, notching the ensuing 11 points thanks to a pair of threes from Darius Bryant, one from Chris Moore and a dunk by Elochukwu Eze to lead 40-14 with 7:03 left in the half.
 
Though the home side closed the gap thanks to a 19-6 run to end the frame, the Cavaliers held a 46-33 edge at the intermission following the hot start. The Cavs cooled from the field but still shot 45.2 percent (19-42 FG) through one period. Johnson made 13 of its 33 tries overall (39.4 percent) and five of its 18 3-point attempts (27.8 percent), while Montreat connected on seven of 16 shots from deep (43.8 percent).
 
Wright and Bryant tied with a first-half high of nine points, Tyler Murray grabbed a team-best four boards and Mike Flenory added four first-half helpers to lead all players.  
 
The teams traded baskets and free throws at the beginning of the second frame. The Cavaliers extended their lead out to 17 again after back-to-back makes from beyond the arc. Although JU cut into the advantage, Montreat responded once more to the tune of six straight points from Jarden Maze.
 
The Cavs led by as many as 21 in the second half, spreading the ball around to build their distinct edge. Ten different Cavaliers made at least two shots in the contest, while the team recorded 17 assists on the afternoon.
 
Montreat did not let the Royals within single digits for the entirety of the latter period as the offense continued to convert. The Cavaliers used a 53-point second-half effort to score the most points they have all season in their 13-point triumph. Six athletes ended in double-figures in scoring for the Cavs, who shot 46.3 percent from the field (38-82 FG).
 
Johnson (1-10, 1-7 AAC) rebounded to shoot 43.3 percent overall (29-67 FG) and 28.1 percent from deep (9-32 3-pt FG). Meanwhile, Montreat hit 13 of its 33 attempts from three (39.4 percent). The Cavaliers converted 20 Royals turnovers into 30 points and outrebounded the home team 47-43, 16-10 on the offensive glass, to produce extra opportunities in the win.
 
"I'm really proud of how we played today. We had stretches where we took a few steps back, but we took major steps forward," stated head coach Anthony Barringer. "When you have multiple guys in double figures and no one plays 25 minutes, you put together a solid outing. Defensively, we continue to get better. I'm looking forward to seeing the steps we take as we prepare for Truett McConnell."
 
Maze led all Cavs in scoring with 16 points, while Rodrigue (15), Bryant (15), Murray (14), Wright (11) and Michael Erbeck (11) all ended in double figures. Maze also captained the team with 10 rebounds to complete his double-double. Murray contributed seven rebounds and Eze added six. Flenory notched a team-best five assists.
 
Men's basketball returns home for a contest against the Truett McConnell University Bears on Wednesday. Tipoff inside McAlister Gymnasium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.