MONTGOMERY, Ala.— The William Carey University Crusaders, a team receiving votes in the NAIA Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll, picked up an 84-54 victory over the Montreat College women's basketball team on Saturday at Tine Davis Gymnasium. With the neutral-site result as part of the Jimmy Faulkner Classic at Faulkner University, the Cavaliers fell to 0-2 overall, while WCU improved to 2-0.
 
Montreat began the first quarter by taking an early lead when Sarah Williams nailed a fast break jumper just 1:19 into the matchup. The team maintained momentum with a layup from Bayleigh Winkler, which was assisted by Ania Sands, to briefly hold a 4-2 advantage two minutes in. After the Crusaders responded to seize their initial lead of the day, Rymiah Sanders answered by burying a 3-point look to knot the score at 7-7.
 
Midway through the quarter, the Cavs faced challenges as William Carey embarked on a 7-0 scoring spree, extending their lead to 14-7. Despite a late 3-pointer from Williams, the Cavaliers trailed 21-12 as the period concluded.
 
Nevaeh Golden opened the second quarter scoring a quick two points on a fast break jumper, narrowing the gap slightly. In spite of the positive start, the Cavs ran into opposition as WCU extended its lead up to a 16-point margin by the midpoint of the frame (30-14).
 
Montreat responded with a defensive stop and a successful layup from Donna-Maria Green, which was assisted by Trinety Dajuste. However, the Crusaders maintained their advantage, capitalizing on second-chance points and points in the paint. The Cavaliers closed the quarter with Sanders scoring a layup, but the designated away team still trailed 36-22 at the end of the initial half.
 
Sanders picked up where she left off to commence the third quarter. The Durham, N.C. native converted an old-fashioned 3-point play and drained a triple to get the Cavs back within single digits at 38-29.
 
Ayanna Varela pulled down a rebound and went coast-to-coast, keeping Montreat's deficit at single digits midway through the period. Despite those efforts, the Crusaders' offensive persistence helped them expand their advantage to as many as 19 points down the stretch. Varela's late free throws shaved a few points off the gap, but William Carey still closed out the third quarter with a 58-41 lead.
 
Sanders opened the fourth frame with a layup, but Montreat faced an uphill battle as William Carey continued to attack in the paint. Sanders added a few more buckets in an attempt to close the distance, but the Crusaders' kept building their edge with efficient shooting, a series of free throws and 3-point makes.
 
The Cavaliers never gave up, continuing to fight with baskets from Sanders and Williams. However, WCU's consistent scoring kept the designated home team comfortably ahead. Laila Harvey got a shot off before the buzzer sounded, but even with her field goal, Montreat still landed on the wrong side of an 84-54 final score.
 
Over the course of 40 minutes, the Cavs went 21-for-59 from the field (35.6 percent). Montreat connected on five of its 26 attempts from deep (19.2 percent), as well as seven of its 12 tries at the free-throw line (58.3 percent). Meanwhile, William Carey shot an efficient 47.6 percent overall (30-63 FG), as well as 35.7 percent from deep (5-14 3-pt FG) and 67.9 percent at the charity stripe (19-28 FT).
 
A 54-23 rebounding advantage helped the Crusaders build a 16-0 edge in second chance points and a 40-28 edge in points in the paint. WCU also held the upper hand in bench points at 36-9.
 
Sanders led all players with 23 points, hitting nine of 18 shots and adding two steals. Varela contributed defensively with five rebounds and one block, while also scoring six points. Winkler added seven points and collected four rebounds to go along with her two steals. Sands facilitated the ball movement with a team-high four assists and added one steal.
 
"Overall, this was a great weekend for us to see how we measure up and to expose our weaknesses so we know what to work on," said head coach Jamie Moore. "Unfortunately, we have had some growing pains—as to be expected with 10 new players on the roster—but we are constantly growing and making adjustments. On to the next one.
 
For their next game, the Cavaliers travel to Owensboro, Ky., to face off against Brescia University. The matchup is set for Friday, Oct. 31, with tipoff at 5 p.m.