MONTREAT, N.C.-- A 13-0 run during the second period gave the Montreat women's basketball team a comfortable lead and helped them secure their third consecutive win, a triumph against the Union College Bulldogs, as the Cavs scored a total of 21 points during the second quarter. With a 65-52 victory in McAlister Gymnasium, the Cavaliers are now 3-3 overall record and 2-0 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play.
The Cavaliers had a slow start on offense due to the defense of the opposing team. Although Union (0-5, 0-3 AAC) forced a couple of turnovers against the Cavs, the Bulldogs committed eight turnovers, leading to points for Montreat by the end of the first quarter. Virginia Edmondson, who received the AAC Player of the Week honor this week, scored six points along with her teammate, Rymiah Sanders. The Cavs led 12-10 at the end of the first quarter, scoring seven points off turnovers.
The Cavs had a great second period, with junior Triniti Lockhart scoring a basket in the paint to start major offensive points leading to a 13-0 run. The Bulldogs didn't score any points for six minutes, and by the end of the first half, Union was behind by 16 points with the score at 33-17. At halftime, the Cavs forced 19 turnovers, resulting in 13 points. Sanders led with 10 points and Edmondson led with four rebounds.
In the third period, the Bulldogs played with intense defense and offense against the Cavaliers, scoring 16 points, five being from free throws, to close the gap. However, Montreat responded with 13 points in the frame. Sanders led the scoring with six points in the quarter, while Lockhart and Graham contributed three points each, ending the period with a 46-33 score.
At the start of the final quarter, the Cavaliers created numerous opportunities, but unfortunately, none were successful in matching the score. Both teams scored 19 points in the frame. Adrianna Gullette was the leading scorer in the last period, contributing a total of eight points, four of which were from free throws. Sanders closely followed with five more points. Due to the scoring, the Bulldogs were unable to match the Cavaliers' score, resulting in a 65-52 final in favor of the Cavaliers.
Sanders tied her highest number of points this season with a total of 21. Gullette and Edmondson each contributed 11 points, and Edmondson and Lockhart both had six rebounds. Lockhart scored nine points, while Aebri Graham had a total of four steals and contributed nine points.
The Montreat women's basketball team returns to the road to compete in a conference match against Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Ky. this Saturday at 2 p.m.
