MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat women's basketball team hosted the University of Pikeville Bears Saturday afternoon for a regular-season showdown. After falling behind midway through the game, there was an interesting fourth quarter as the Cavaliers had a slight comeback, but it wasn't enough to fully match the Bears. Despite their efforts, the Cavs couldn't overcome the Bears, causing their season record to fall to 6-6 overall and 4-3 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play following a 71-65 defeat. 
 
There was a strong push at the start of the game as both teams showed great defensive and offensive play. During the first quarter, the Cavaliers took control of the game as they were able to pass through the Bears defense. Virginia Edmondson started with nine points and two rebounds, and Vaniyah Petty added three points and two rebounds. The team collected 10 fastbreak points during the period to close out the first quarter up 17-14. 
 
At the start of the second quarter, Pikeville turned it up a notch by forcing turnovers. Taking a 29-21 lead with just three minutes left in the half, the Bears seized control by adding 15 straight points onto the scoreboard. To conclude the second, the Cavaliers couldn't seem to find successful shots. Adrianna Gullette added six points during the second, and a couple of pairs from Lockhart (2), Edmondson (2) and Rymiah Sanders (2) resulted in a 38-29 score at halftime. Petty had four first-half rebounds.
 
After the break, the game continued competitively. The Bears still held control of the contest, upping score to 60-49 at the end of the third. Aebri Graham added six points to the board, and Edmondson and Gullette each scored five in the quarter. 
 
It was an exciting fourth period as the Cavaliers came back with the score at 62-59 during the final five minutes of the game. Edmondson's and-one opportunity then gave the Cavs hope to potentially tie the game as she made it 62-61 with 4:28 left. Despite Montreat keeping the Bears scoreless for four minutes, it wasn't enough to eliminate the deficit as the final seconds ticked down and the Cavs trailed by three during the last 20 seconds.
 
Edmondson scored 23 points total with six rebounds for the Cavaliers, Gullette came away with 13 points, four rebounds and seven assists and Sanders had 10 points and four rebounds. 
 
As a unit, Montreat made 43.9 percent (25-57 FG) of its field goals compared to Pikeville's 41.1 percent (23-56 FG), while the Bears took the lead in 3-point FGs with 41.2 percent (7-17 3-pt FG) to the Cavs' 29.2 percent (7-24 3-pt FG) clip. The Bears held advantages in most statistical categories following the 40-minute game, including rebounds (37-30), assists (16-13), second-chance points (10-2) and blocks (5-2).
 
The Montreat women's basketball team now goes on Christmas break and returns to host Salem College on Dec. 30 starting at 2 p.m.