GRAYSON, Ky.— The Montreat women's basketball team traveled to Grayson, Ky. to face the Kentucky Christian University Knights in an Appalachian Athletic Conference clash on Tuesday night. Montreat made a valorous comeback attempt on the night but fell just short of overcoming its deficit, dropping the contest by the score line of 83-77. Montreat fell to 11-14 (8-11 AAC) with the defeat.
 
Kentucky Christian (14-9, 10-7 AAC) opened the contest by scoring two-point baskets on its first two possessions, but the Cavaliers took over from there. Destiny Lewis, Caleigh Raby and Jessyka Leak rattled off 11 consecutive points for Montreat, and a Tatiyana Cannon free throw extended the Cavalier run to 12-0. Montreat's defense was creating problems for KCU's offense during the run, forcing two turnovers and 10 consecutive missed shots; however, when the Knights found a groove, they poured in points in a hurry. Over 2:45, the Knights outscored the Cavaliers with a 14-4 spurt, which included points on six of seven possessions. Cannon's two baskets kept Montreat close, though Kentucky Christian closed the first quarter with an 18-16 lead.
 
Aebri Graham hit two 3-pointers, and Raby added a few buckets around the rim to keep within arm's reach of KCU's torrid scoring pace. The Cavalier pair combined to score 10 of the Montreat's first 12 points in the quarter, and a Leak jumper brought Montreat to within a single point (32-31); however, another KCU run was lurking. In just 1:50, the Knights hit three triples and sprinted out to their largest lead of the half, 43-31. Vaniyah Petty closed the final minute with three free throw makes, but the Cavs entered halftime with a 43-34 deficit.
 
Thanks to a strong second-quarter performance, Kentucky Christian raised its shooting percentage up to 43.6 percent (17-39 FG) after starting 2-for-12 from the field. The Knights also connected on six of their 15 3-point looks (40.0 percent) and all three free throw attempts. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers shot 34.2 percent (13-38 FG) from the floor and made just three of their 13 longball efforts (23.1 percent). Both sides took fairly good care of the basketball with each team turning it over just twice in the half. Leak led the Cavs in scoring at the break with seven points, while Graham and Raby both tallied six points.
 
Leak cut into the deficit as the third quarter commenced, knocking down a jumper and a 3-pointer to pull the Cavaliers to within four points. Kentucky Christian answered with a layup, but Petty capped off a run in which she and Leak scored all 10 Montreat points thanks to a putback in the paint, meaning Montreat trailed just 45-41. That's when the KCU offense caught fire again. Despite a triple and an old-fashioned three-point play for Raby, the Knights made four 3-pointers in 2:39 to continue to grow their advantage. The KCU lead grew to as large as 16 points (66-50), but thanks to clutch 3-pointers off the right hands of Raby and Graham, the Cavaliers managed to trim the deficit to 66-56 entering the final frame.
 
In an up-and-down fourth quarter that featured several sizable runs, the Cavaliers started off on the front foot. The first of five Montreat fourth-quarter 3-pointers, coupled with a Triniti Lockhart layup, whittled the Cavalier deficit to 68-61 with 7:25 remaining. Kentucky Christian answered Montreat's quick start with another speedy run of its own, outscoring the Cavaliers 10-2 to jump ahead by 15 points (78-63); however, Montreat's 3-point shooting in the final frame changed the complexion of the contest. Graham and Leak buried a trio of triples, and a Raby layup and longball suddenly had the Cavs within three points (80-77) with 1:18 remaining. Despite Montreat's valiant push, KCU made three free throws down the stretch and held the Cavaliers scoreless, leading to an 83-77 Knights' win.
 
The Cavaliers, who shot just 23.1 percent from deep in the first half, connected on 10 of their 16 3-point looks in the second half to finish 13-of-29 (44.8 percent). Montreat made 29 of its 73 shots overall (39.7 percent) and five of its 10 free throw attempts (50.0 percent) on the night. Kentucky Christian made an efficient 47.1 percent (33-70 FG) of its shots on Tuesday, including 10 of its 23 3-pointers (43.5 percent). The Knights also struggled at the free throw line, converting at just a 53.8-percent clip (7-13 FT).
 
Raby once again led the way in scoring with 23 points on the night, while Leak contributed 17 points. Graham tied her career-high in points (15) and made 3-pointers (5) as well. Petty hauled in 11 rebounds to pace the Cavaliers, and Lockhart doled out a team-high four assists. Leak also finished two rebounds shy of a double-double by grabbing eight boards, while Raby fell three rebounds shy of a double-double.
 
Montreat women's basketball returns to McAlister Gymnasium on Thursday for a brief one-game homestand against Bluefield University. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.