MONTGOMERY, Ala.— Montreat College's women's basketball team opened its 2025-26 season with the first of two nonconference matchups in the Jimmy Faulkner Classic. The Cavaliers faced the Faulkner University Eagles in their initial contest. The Cavs dropped their opening game on Friday via an 86-52 scoreline. With the loss, Montreat moves to 0-1 to start the season. Faulkner opens with a 1-0 record.
The Cavs began the first quarter with an early layup by
Ania Sands, tying the game at two points apiece. Despite several offensive efforts, including a layup from
Rymiah Sanders, the Cavaliers struggled to find consistent scoring opportunities. Faulkner capitalized with a strong defensive presence, recording three blocks in the quarter. As the period progressed, Montreat faced challenges in maintaining pace with the hosts' scoring. Although the Cavs' defense, led by a block from
Laila Harvey, attempted to slow FU's momentum, the Eagles extended their lead. The quarter concluded with the hosts up 27-11.
Montreat opened the second quarter with a series of strong plays. After giving up a layup to start the frame, the Cavaliers went on a 7-0 run. The streak cut the Faulkner lead to 11 points. A jumper in the paint by
Camryn Williams and a layup by Sanders helped shave down the Eagles' advantage. FU managed to counter with effective scoring from its bench and a key 3-pointer, extending the edge. Montreat attempted to come back before the break thanks to a fast-break layup by
Sarah Williams, assisted by Sands, but the quarter ended with Faulkner maintaining a significant lead. The home team entered the halftime break ahead 45-21.
In the third quarter, the Cavaliers came out with a determined effort, as
Sarah Williams assisted
Bayleigh Winkler for a layup, narrowing the deficit to 50-23. Despite turnovers, Montreat capitalized on scoring opportunities, with
Donna-Maria Green contributing a jumper off an assist from Winkler. In the latter part of the quarter, Montreat showed resilience with
Trinety Dajuste and
Ayanna Varela scoring consecutive fast-break layups. Varela continued to impact the game by securing offensive rebounds and adding points from the free-throw line. As the frame closed, Varela nailed a jumper and subsequent free throws to help the Cavaliers offensively. The Eagles still led at the end of the third, 69-36.
To start the final period, Montreat established a strong inside game, as
Ella Kate Walraven scored two layups, contributing to the team's points in the paint. Despite this effort, the home side responded with accurate shooting from beyond the arc. The Cavs continued to battle, with contributions from Sanders and Winkler, adding key points from layups and free throws. However, turnovers presented challenges, and the hosts capitalized by widening their lead to 40 points by the midpoint of the quarter. Varela's late layup and steals helped Montreat cut into the deficit slightly, but the Eagles stayed consistent in scoring down the stretch. The game concluded with Faulkner leaving victoriously, 86-52.
Varela led the team with 10 points and collected five rebounds, also contributing three steals. Sands scored six points, delivering two assists and making two free throws. Harvey added two points, making both of her shots at the stripe, and secured two steals alongside her defensive efforts. Sanders finished with eight points and hauled in four rebounds, showing consistent performance on the court.
Collectively, Montreat did not convert a 3-point attempt throughout the night. The Cavs took a total of 22 triples across 40 minutes. The visitors shot 18-for-66 from the floor for a team shooting percentage of 27.3 percent. On the other side, the hosts made 10 trifectas and shot 53.6 percent from the court. Both teams made 16 free throws and scored 10 fast-break points. Faulkner was credited with more rebounds (49-31), assists (21-7), steals (12-10) and blocks (6-2) than the Cavaliers during the contest.
"This was a tough first game of the season, but I was proud of our group for finishing strong," said head coach
Jamie Moore. "We are leaning on a lot of freshmen this year, so now that we have the jitters out, it is time to go to work."
In their next matchup, the Cavs play the William Carey University Crusaders, a team receiving votes in the NAIA Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The game will tip off on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Montgomery, Ala.
