WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.— The Montreat women's basketball team tipped off its 2024-25 season on Thursday with an out-of-conference matchup against the Carolina University Bruins in Winston-Salem, N.C. While the contest was tight for most of the evening, the hosts utilized a big fourth quarter to come away with the win over the Cavaliers, 65-56. With the defeat, the Cavs began the year 0-1.
Rymiah Sanders recorded a pair of baskets to bookend a
Maddie Ferrara triple as the visitors sprinted out to a 7-0 lead less than 90 seconds into the showdown. Carolina (5-0) trimmed the gap to 7-6 with a quick spurt, but
Virginia Edmondson converted an and-one and Ferrara drained another 3-pointer to reestablish the seven-point edge midway through the opening quarter.
Unfortunately for Montreat, it didn't register a field goal over the final 5:31. The Cavaliers also committed 10 fouls in the initial frame, which sent the Bruins to the free-throw line 16 times. With the trips to the charity stripe, CU ended the first quarter on a 9-1 run to lead 17-16 after 10 minutes.
Carolina Robinson found her way onto the scoresheet with a bucket 28 seconds into the second period; however, that proved to be the visitors' lone make from the floor in the quarter. Nine Bruins fouls aided the Cavs in their efforts to keep pace with the home side during the second, and Montreat sunk eight free throws to remain within 28-26 at halftime.
Edmondson poured in six points, and
Vaniyah Petty contributed five points and five rebounds during the third quarter, which was Montreat's strongest all-around effort of the night. Trailing by six (39-33) with 2:54 left in the frame, the visiting team outscored its counterpart down the stretch, flipping its slim deficit into a slight 42-41 lead with merely 10 minutes left in regulation.
A 3-for-19 (15.8 percent) shooting performance in the fourth quarter presented the Cavaliers with an uphill climb, and Carolina capitalized. The Bruins saved their best offensive showing for the final period, scoring 24 points thanks to three triples and nine free throws. As a result, CU remained undefeated with the 65-56 win over Montreat.
"This was a good season opener for us tonight with great competition to show us what we need to clean up before conference play next week," said head coach
Jamie Moore. "Unfortunately, we didn't execute the game plan and left a lot of points on the table. We know what we need to improve on and are ready to get to work."
Edmondson tallied a game-best 14 points and four steals. She also racked up six boards and three assists. Meanwhile, Petty corralled a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with her 10 points, securing a double-double in the process. Sanders also reached double figures in scoring with 13 points and seven boards.
Carolina narrowly outshot Montreat both overall and at the charity stripe. The Bruins went 17-for-63 (27.0 percent) from the floor, 5-for-28 (17.9 percent) from deep and 26-of-33 (78.8 percent) at the line. On the other side, the Cavs shot 26.4 percent (14-53 FG) from the field, 23.5 percent (4-17 3-pt FG) from beyond the arc and 61.5 percent (24-39 FT) from the free-throw line. The visitors hauled in more rebounds (50-46) and scored more points off turnovers (18-11), but the hosts racked up more points from their bench (27-14).
Montreat plays its home opener on Saturday afternoon when it welcomes the Salem College Spirits to Shuford Arena on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. in Hickory, N.C.
