MONTREAT, N.C.— In a late-season non-conference competition against the Emory & Henry College Wasps, the Montreat women's basketball team fell on Senior Day inside McAlister Gymnasium. With the 73-44 result, the Cavaliers dropped to 11-13.
Six early points by senior
Caleigh Raby and another four by
Destiny Lewis powered Montreat's scoring in the opening quarter; however, an 0-for-8 3-pt effort coupled with an Emory & Henry 41.2 shooting percentage (7-17 FG) saw the visitors on top 16-12 after 10 minutes.
In the second, the Wasps used a quick scoring spurt to jump out to a 25-14 advantage, but the Cavs answered immediately. Over a 56-second stretch, Montreat went on a 9-0 run fueled by three of Lewis' nine first-half points, three from Raby and an and-one from
Jessyka Leak that trimmed the home team's deficit to just two (25-23) with 6:28 left until half.
From that point, Emory & Henry controlled gameplay, swinging the ball around offensively and scoring in transition to end the second frame on a 14-0 run. Thanks to the large run, the visitors led 39-23 at the intermission.
Montreat hit 27.8 percent (10-36 FG) of its shots in the opening half, including a 2-of-16 (12.5 percent) showing from three. Raby and Lewis each scored a team-best nine points over the initial 20 minutes, while Leak collected a team-high five boards. Emory & Henry concluded the first half shooting 53.6 percent (15-28 FG) overall and 37.5 percent (3-of-8) from deep.
Emory & Henry (10-11) continued its hot streak as the Wasps scored the first 17 points of the third quarter to blow the game open 56-23 just 4:55 into the period. Raby made the Cavaliers' only basket of the frame to keep the team's deficit at 60-27 through three quarters.
In the fourth, Montreat outscored the Wasps 17-13 to close the gap between the teams. Raby scored eight of her game-high 19 points (9-24 FG) in the final 10 minutes, while
Destiny Lewis capped off her 12-point performance. Leak ended with a game-best 11 rebounds, while
Kemani Watson pulled down four offensive rebounds to go with her game-high four blocks.
Overall, the Cavaliers struggled from the field, draining 25.7 percent (18-70 FG) of their attempts, while making only two of 30 (6.7 percent) 3-point tries. The Wasps connected on 50.0 percent (31-62 FG) of their shots, including 29.4 percent (5-17 FG) from beyond the arc.
Women's basketball returns to conference action on Tuesday at Kentucky Christian. Tipoff in Grayson, Ky. is currently slated for 5:30 p.m.
