HICKORY, N.C.— The Montreat women's basketball team opened its 2024-25 home slate Saturday afternoon at Shuford Arena on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University. Battling against the Salem College Spirits in a nonconference clash, the Cavaliers utilized a massive first quarter and an elite defensive effort to claim their initial win under head coach Jamie Moore. With the triumph, the hosts moved to 1-1 on the year.
 
Montreat needed less than five minutes to establish a monumental lead over the visitors. The Cavs poured in 17 of the first 19 points, and they outscored their opponent by 26 during the opening quarter alone. Offensively, Virginia Edmondson racked up 11 points, Maddie Ferrara contributed nine of her own and the squad shot 71.4 percent (15-21 FG) from the field. Defensively, the home side forced 13 turnovers as it vaulted itself out to a 34-8 advantage following 10 minutes of action.
 
Salem (0-1) put together a more competitive showing during the second quarter, but it couldn't trim down its deficit prior to halftime. Five different Cavaliers scored in the second, and Montreat slightly grew its edge up to 27 points (48-21) entering the intermission.
 
Reenergized coming out of the break, the hosts pieced together their second-best frame of the afternoon. Rymiah Sanders notched 11 points in the third quarter, and the team forced 12 more Spirit turnovers. As a result, the Cavs maintained a 68-34 lead with merely 10 minutes remaining.
 
The Spirits recorded their best offensive period of the day in the fourth (16 points), but the gap was truly insurmountable. Ania Sands, Adrianna Gullette and Vaniyah Petty each tallied four points in the fourth, and Montreat closed out Moore's first collegiate head coach win, 86-50.
 
"Tonight was a great bounce-back win for us," Moore said. "I'm proud of our team for responding to Thursday's loss and attacking our weaknesses that were exposed against Carolina University. It was a total team effort and a good one before we begin conference play next week."
 
The Cavaliers turned 38 Salem turnovers into 53 points. Montreat also owned significant advantages in fast break points (25-7), points in the paint (56-16), steals (24-12) and assists (24-12). Overall, the hosts shot 52.2 percent (36-69 FG) from the floor while holding the Spirits to an 18-for-49 (36.7 percent) showing.
 
Sanders paced all players with 18 points. Edmondson (16 points), Sands (13 points) and Ferrara (11 points) also reached double figures in scoring, and 10 total Cavaliers found their way onto the scoresheet. Along with her career-high offensive output, Sands added a career-best seven steals. Edmondson matched Sands with seven steals, also personal high. Ferrera (6), Sands (5) and Edmondson (5) moved the ball around effectively with big assist totals. Petty and Karis Alexander hauled in seven boards each.
 
Montreat continues its three-game homestand on Wednesday with an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup versus the Columbia International University Rams. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at Kimmel Arena in Asheville, N.C.