CLEVELAND, Ga.— The Montreat women's basketball team traveled to Cleveland, Ga. for a matchup versus the Truett McConnell University Bears Tuesday evening. After four quarters of Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) action, the hosts took the competition via a 52-46 final as the Cavaliers dropped to 15-8 overall and 13-8 in AAC play.
 
Both teams struggled from the field to start the game, but TMU (7-17, 6-15 AAC) notched the first basket over four minutes into the contest to lead 3-0. The Bears extended their advantage, scoring the opening 11 points over a span of eight minutes to go up by double digits. A 3-point play got the Cavs on the board with 1:54 left in the initial frame, but a 1-for-13 shooting period and seven Montreat turnovers had Truett McConnell ahead 13-3 through one frame.
 
Cierra Lail and Mariya Williams pulled the Cavaliers within six (13-7) at the beginning of the second quarter, and offensive rebounds gave the visitors extra looks; however, additional miscues and poor shooting continued to plague Montreat at key times. Due to a 4-of-10 showing from behind the arc in the first half coupled with the Cavs' 18.5-percent efficiency (5-27 FG), including a 0-for-11 3-point performance, the Bears doubled up the Cavaliers, 26-13, at the break. Truett McConnell knocked down 10 of its 26 looks overall to that point (38.5 percent).
 
Montreat did grab more rebounds (20) than its opposition (18) in the first half and converted seven TMU turnovers into seven points, but the home side controlled almost every other statistical category with two frames to play. Williams captained the team with seven points and a game-best 13 rebounds through 20 minutes of action.
 
Adrianna Gullette helped cut into the deficit fueled by eight consecutive points for the Cavaliers over a span of 1:46, trimming the spread to single digits. Makayla Thompson then contributed to the stretch by drilling a pair of 3-pointers as Montreat closed the period on an 11-0 run to bring itself within a possession with 10 minutes to go. The Cavs, who outscored the Bears 18-7 in the third quarter, held Truett McConnell without points for the final 7:43 of the frame to trail by two (33-31).
 
Though TMU ended its drought with a make from deep, Williams scored twice to get the Cavaliers within a point (36-35) with 5:32 on the clock. The teams traded baskets before a pair of vital technical fouls resulted in five points for the home team that expanded the lead back out to eight (45-37). Thompson connected on her third longball, and Vaniyah Petty tallied four late points; however, the Bears sealed the 6-point win at the free-throw line.
 
Despite 16 more shot attempts, a 46-30 rebounding edge, 13 points off turnovers to Truett's six, and 19 offensive rebounds, Montreat's shooting struggles allowed the home side to secure a victory. The Cavaliers made just 27.7 percent (18-65 FG) of their shots, including a 4-for-24 clip (16.7 percent) from three, while the Bears drained 18 of their 49 tries overall (36.7 percent) and six of their 19 3-pointers (31.6 percent).
 
Thompson and Williams each tallied 13 points, and Williams capped off her second straight 20-rebound contest with a game-high 20 boards for her third consecutive double-double. Gullette (12) joined the duo in double-figures in scoring to go with her eight rebounds. Petty added six points and nine rebounds.
 
Women's basketball returns home on Thursday for a matchup against the Johnson University-Tennessee Royals. Tipoff inside McAlister Gymnasium is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.