ATHENS, Tenn.— The Montreat women's basketball team continued its road trip Saturday afternoon with an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup versus the Tennessee Wesleyan University Bulldogs in Athens, Tenn. While the Cavaliers had the upper hand in the first half, a big second half powered the hosts to a 67-54 victory and dropped the visitors to 3-3 (2-2 AAC) on the year.
 
Tennessee Wesleyan (3-3, 2-2 AAC) possessed a 7-5 lead midway through the initial quarter, but Virginia Edmondson and Maddie Ferrara quickly changed that. Both Edmondson and Ferrara connected on a look from beyond the arc, as well as twice at the free-throw line, to put the visitors in front through 10 minutes, 15-12.
 
Continuing their strong play, Edmondson contributed three consecutive baskets while Ferrara converted from deep. The Cav duo powered a 9-4 stretch over the opening 6:37 of the second quarter that established a 24-16 Montreat lead; however, the Bulldogs closed out the frame well, halving the deficit from eight points to four points (26-22) prior to the intermission.
 
Tresalyn Roberts, Ayanna Varela and Rymiah Sanders helped maintain the lead at 34-29 more than five minutes into the third period, but TWU utilized six offensive rebounds to overcome the gap and seize the lead for good. Nine of the Bulldogs' 21 third-quarter points proved to be of the second chance variety, and the hosts entered the fourth with a 43-40 advantage.
 
A 12-2 Tennessee Wesleyan run to begin the final frame significantly aided the home side in putting the contest away. The Bulldogs led by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter, and they closed out a 67-54 conference win on their home floor.
 
The Cavaliers shot 33.8 percent (22-65 FG) on the afternoon, as well as 15.8 percent (3-19 3-pt FG) from deep and 58.3 percent (7-12 FT) at the line. TWU bested the visitors in all three of those departments thanks to its 37.7 percent (20-53 FG), 24.0 percent (6-25 3-pt FG) and 77.8 percent (21-27 FT) efforts. On their home floor, the hosts also held edges in points off turnovers (20-12) and second chance points (17-7).
 
Edmondson led the away side offensively as she was the only Cav to reach double figures in scoring (18 points). Roberts paced the visitors on the glass with seven boards, while Katie Alexander notched three assists and four steals.
 
Montreat heads to Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday for more AAC action. Tipoff between the Cavaliers and the Johnson University Royals is slated for 5:30 p.m.