MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat women's basketball team continued its impressive start to the season inside McAlister Gymnasium Wednesday evening, recording a 65-56 triumph over the Truett McConnell University Bears. With the win, the Cavs improved to 8-2 overall and 6-2 in Appalachian Athletic Conference play.
 
In a back-and-forth first period that featured seven lead changes, TMU (2-8, 2-7 AAC) utilized Cavalier turnovers and its own efficient shooting to jump out to an advantage. After the Bears led 5-2 3:02 into the game, Mariya Williams, who scored the Cavs' initial eight points, helped the home side out to an 8-7 edge midway through the quarter. The lead changed hands on five consecutive makes before Truett McConnell ended the frame on an 8-0 run to go up 19-13 thanks to eight makes on 10 tries from the field.
 
The Bears extended their advantage to nine (22-13) with the first basket of the second quarter; however, the Cavaliers began their barrage from behind the arc coupled with strong defense to close the gap. Montreat held TMU without a make for 7:51 of gameplay during the stretch. Meanwhile, Virginia Edmondson and Adrianna Gullette each knocked down a pair of triples as the Cavs connected on five 3s during the second quarter alone. Edmondson's second of the frame gave the home team a 24-23 lead to cap off an 11-1 run. Though TMU retook the lead moments later, Makayla Thompson and Gullette answered to give the Cavaliers a 30-25 edge.
 
Ultimately, the effectiveness on both ends of the court provided Montreat with a 30-27 halftime advantage. Truett McConnell shot an even 50 percent (11-22 FG) from the field in the opening half, while the Cavs made 37.9 percent (11-29 FG) of their tries. A 5-9 showing from deep in the quarter helped the Cavaliers shoot 42.9 percent from three (6-14 3pt FG) compared to Truett's 44.4 percent (4-9 3pt FG). Williams and Edmondson each tallied eight first-half points; Thompson led in assists (4), steals (3) and tied with Vaniyah Petty with a team-best three boards.
 
Montreat built its lead to seven (34-27) immediately out of the gate in the third. Though the Cavaliers kept the Bears to only two makes on their 12 shots in the period (16.7 percent), the home side was outscored in a third quarter for just the second time this year as TMU brought itself within two (41-39) by winning the frame 12-11 thanks to seven free throws.
 
Williams collected five early points and Gullette added four to keep the Cavs ahead in the final quarter. Though Truett utilized a quick 6-0 spurt to lead 45-44, with the score knotted at 49 halfway into the period, the Cavaliers went on a vital run that influenced the matchup's result. An 8-0 stretch over 1:30 fueled by transition buckets off turnovers aided Montreat to an advantage it would not relinquish for the remainder of the competition in its 9-point victory.
 
"I thought Truett played a really tough game. I'm proud of how our team got through adversity. Credit to our players for making some big shots and big plays when we needed them," mentioned head coach Josh Thompson.
 
Williams captained the Cavaliers with 18 points to go with her game-best 11 rebounds to complete her double-double. Gullette, who scored 10 points in the fourth frame, finished with 17 points and added four helpers. Edmondson also collected four assists, while scoring 15 points, and Thompson filled out the stat sheet with 10 points, a competition-high seven assists, six rebounds and three steals as four Montreat players finished in double figures in scoring.
 
The Cavaliers bounced back to shoot 41.1 percent (23-56 FG) to TMU's 38.8 percent (19-49 FG) and both teams made a third of their 3s. Montreat won the rebounding battle 38-32, dominated with 18 assists to the visitors' eight and edged the Bears in turnovers forced (19-18). Transition favored the Cavs as Montreat registered 20 fastbreak points, while TMU notched nine.
 
Women's basketball returns to play on the road at Bluefield University on Saturday. Tipoff for the contest is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.