MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat women's basketball team faced off against the Milligan University Buffaloes Saturday afternoon inside McAlister Gymnasium. After a hard-fought contest, the visitors prevailed by a score of 68-55, snapping the Cavaliers' 6-game win streak and dropping Montreat to 14-6 overall and 12-6 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play.
Adrianna Gullette picked up right where she left off in the Cavaliers' last contest, scoring the team's initial four points of the game to help Montreat out to an early 4-1 edge. In a frame that featured four lead changes, the Buffaloes took advantage of an offensive drought by the Cavs to lead 14-9.
Milligan (16-5, 14-3 AAC) ratcheted up its defensive pressure at the start of the second quarter, creating four turnovers and translating those Cavalier miscues into an 11-0 stretch that allowed the visitors to gain control by double-digits and lead 27-11 4:55 into the frame. The Buffaloes extended their run to 14 consecutive points before
Mariya Williams ended the drought with an offensive putback; however, Milligan knocked down three of four 3-pointers and continued to score efficiently to hold a 39-19 advantage at the half.
The Buffaloes grew their large lead due to a 55.2 percent shooting performance (16-29 FG) and a 3-for-10 showing from deep, in addition to a 22-3 lead in bench scoring and 13-2 edge in points off turnovers. Montreat connected on just 28.0 percent of its tries (7-25 FG), including an 0-for-3 effort from three. Williams led all Cavaliers with eight points and three offensive rebounds.
Ja'Liah Wilson captained the Cavs in rebounding overall with five boards in only nine minutes of action.
Williams notched four more quick points,
Vaniyah Petty contributed with two baskets and
Makayla Thompson added a steal and layup as the Cavaliers utilized a 10-2 start to the third by knocking down five of their first six shots to cut the gap to 12 (41-29) just 3:18 into the second half. Gullette made it a 10-point contest in the ensuing possessions, but seven consecutive points by the visitors and the Cavs' field goal drought of the final 5:35 of the period fueled a 13-1 stretch that had Milligan up big (56-34) with 10 minutes to play.
Aebri Graham drained the home side's first triple of the competition, and Williams scored another three of her game-high 18 points as part of a 10-4 run that brought Montreat within 16 (60-44) halfway through the last quarter. A 9-0 stretch over 1:39 then helped the Cavs trim their deficit to 11 with 1:46 remaining thanks to 3-pointers by Gullette and Thompson; however, that was as close as Montreat would get as, despite the late charge by the Cavaliers, the Buffaloes closed out the game with a 68-55 triumph.
The visitors tallied sizable advantages in most statistical categories, including overall shooting numbers, points off turnovers (22-9), bench points (33-6), points in the paint (36-22) and assists (19-6). Milligan outshot the Cavaliers by converting on 49.1 percent of its attempts (28-57 FG) compared to Montreat's 36.0 percent shooting rate (18-50 FG). The Cavs did connect more efficiently from deep, making 33.3 percent (3-9 3-pt FG) to the Buffaloes' 26.3 percent (5-19 3-pt FG).
Gullette joined Williams in double figures in scoring with 15 points, while Williams notched a double-double with her game-high 11 rebounds.
Cierra Lail added a career-high six rebounds, and Wilson tied her career-best mark with six boards as well.
Women's basketball now travels to Bryan College for another AAC matchup on Tuesday. Tipoff in Dayton, Tenn. is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
