MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat men's basketball team claimed its third consecutive win thanks to an 87-70 result over the Johnson University-Tennessee Royals inside McAlister Gymnasium Thursday night. With the positive performance, the Cavaliers improved to 15-9 on the season and 13-8 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play.
 
A pair of early 3-pointers put the home side up 8-4 just 2:35 into the contest, but the Royals fought back to level the game in transition. Johnson then utilized the longball to establish a 4-point edge (16-12) of its own with 13:04 on the clock.
 
Fast-paced basketball ensued as Tyler Murray and Michael Erbeck knocked down triples, but the Royals hit five consecutive attempts from the field to hold their slight advantage over Montreat. Tyler Rodrigue connected on two shots from deep, and the team drained six of its initial 15 3-point tries; however, 11 fast-break points kept JU ahead 25-24 midway through the frame.
 
After Jarden Maze finished through contact to put the Cavaliers up 27-25, the Royals answered with a quick 6-0 spurt before a three from Erbeck, as well as points from Maze and Murray, contributed to a 9-0 run over 1:07 that had the Cavs leading 38-33 with 2:53 until the half. Maze and Erbeck combined for another stretch, this time of 10 unanswered points as part of a 19-2 run that saw the Cavaliers' advantage balloon out to as many as 13 points (48-35) just prior to the intermission.
 
Though Johnson (7-19, 7-15 AAC) made a late shot, Montreat led 48-37 at the break. The Royals made 59.3 percent of their attempts overall (16-27 FG) as well as 42.9 percent of their 3-point tries (3-7 3-pt FG), but eight additional shots from the Cavaliers, who converted at a 45.7-percent clip (16-35 FG) and grabbed seven offensive boards, fueled the double-digit edge for the home side. The Cavs also collectively added eight 3-pointers on 21 attempts (38.1 percent) and hit eight of 11 free throws (72.7 percent) in the first half.
 
Maze led all scorers with 14 points, while Erbeck followed closely with 13. Nine different Cavaliers snatched down rebounds, which helped Montreat tally 12 second-chance points to Johnson's mere four.
 
Strict defense by the Cavs kept JU off the board in the opening minutes of the second frame. That defense, coupled with six points from three different Cavaliers, resulted in a 16-point advantage (58-42) five minutes into the period.
 
JU whittled the gap down to single digits (62-53) 8:17 into the latter half, but timely baskets by the home side immediately extended its edge out to 13 again. A back-and-forth frame saw the Royals battle within six points (68-62) due to seven consecutive that culminated in another fast-break bucket with 7:55 to go.
 
Facing a vital stretch in the matchup, Montreat's defense stood tall. The Cavaliers held Johnson to one make on its final 11 attempts from the field and used a trio of baskets and as many free throws to reestablish a double-digit advantage up 12 (80-68) with 2:53 left in the game. Significant defense down the stretch paired with free throws allowed the Cavs to seal the 17-point triumph.
 
Despite the late struggle, Johnson ended the game with a better overall field goal percentage (46.6 percent to 44.8 percent), but the Cavaliers tallied double-digit 3-pointers (10) for the 18^th time this year en route to a 32.3-percent performance from deep. The Royals cooled to shoot just 25.0 percent (5-20 3-pt FG) from beyond the arc. Montreat controlled the glass, collecting 44 rebounds, including 13 offensive rebounds, to JU's 29 boards. That disparity led to a 19-4 edge in second-chance points for the home side.
 
"Obviously, losing Jamiel [Wright] for the year is a tough blow for us, but as usual, our guys rallied around each other and made sure we didn't miss a beat. We are starting to look good at the right time," mentioned head coach Anthony Barringer.

Maze captained all scorers with 25 points, and Erbeck contributed with a career-high 20 points. Murray joined the duo in double figures in scoring with 10 points. All 10 Cavaliers who saw time on the court made at least one field goal and secured at least one board, while eight different Cavs tallied assists.

"I really enjoyed coaching these guys tonight," noted Barringer. "Every one of us knows what's at stake down the stretch and they are answering the call. [Michael] Erbeck showed up and showed out today."
 
Men's basketball now hosts the Tennessee Wesleyan University Bulldogs in a crucial AAC contest on Saturday. Tipoff inside McAlister Gymnasium is slated for 4:00 p.m.