MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat College women's basketball team played its first home game of the year on Saturday against the Carolina University Bruins. The Cavaliers utilized multiple double-digit scoring efforts to notch a season-high 91 points en route to a 91-88 victory over the Bruins. Following the contest, the Cavs improved to 2-3 overall, while Carolina fell to 0-3.
Montreat started the scoring for the matchup with an early layup from
Rymiah Sanders. CU responded strongly with a 10-2 burst to take control of the quarter. Despite trailing early, the Cavaliers reacted with some offensive pressure of their own, highlighted by multiple scores from
Sarah Williams with a layup, a triple, a jumper and some free throws.
Bayleigh Winkler added a bucket during the sequence as well to aid the Cavs in reclaiming the lead at 17-16.
The two teams traded runs late in the first quarter to bring it to a tight finish. The home team grabbed its scoring spree first by going on a 7-0 spurt coming out of a 17-17 tie. Another good 3-pointer from Williams, a basket in the paint for
Ella Kate Walraven and two Winkler free throws put Montreat ahead 24-17. The Bruins responded with a 6-0 run, closing out the first period trailing the Cavs by just one.
Williams assisted
Samiah Mitchell's fast-break layup to begin the second quarter, extending the hosts' lead to 26-23. Despite multiple fouls, the Cavaliers were able to maintain their edge with offensive contributions in the paint, including pivotal baskets from Winkler and Sanders, that helped push the lead out to 35-31.
Carolina responded with a 3-pointer to narrow the gap, but Montreat's defense held firm, with
Trinety Dajuste recording a block. The quarter remained close as the game saw seven lead changes down the stretch. The hosts were able to stave off the Bruins with the help of Walraven's layup with 27 seconds to go, ending another quarter with a one-point lead. Montreat entered the intermission with the 53-52 edge on the scoreboard.
The Cavaliers maintained their strong presence in the paint coming out of the half, scoring 18 points from inside and effectively capitalizing on fast breaks with four points. Sanders led the charge with key layups and assists, helping the team maintain momentum. Mitchell contributed with an important assist, while Walraven added a big 3-pointer to extend the lead to 66-61 midway through the quarter.
Despite Carolina matching Montreat's scoring efforts, the Cavs' defense created some crucial turnovers, and the offense featured effective ball movement. Walraven and
Ania Sands helped preserve the edge for the Cavaliers with numerous assists, and the home team closed out the quarter leading 78-74.
The hosts preserved their lead as the fourth quarter commenced by maintaining offensive tempo, bolstered by more points in the paint from Winkler and Sanders. Back-to-back layups from
Laila Harvey pushed Montreat to its first double-digit lead of the night at 88-76.
Not going home quietly, Carolina provided some quality looks to go on an 8-0 run, cutting the Cavs' lead down to just 88-84. Montreat was able to make some crucial free throws late in the period to keep the Bruins at bay, and the Cavaliers' defense did its part by holding the visitors scoreless for the final 80 seconds. When the final buzzer sounded, the hosts walked away with an exciting 91-88 victory.
"We love playing at McAlister," said head coach
Jamie Moore. "We always talk about needing to protect this place. Especially after the hurricane last year, it just means a little something more."
On the night, the Cavs shot 42.4 percent overall (36-85 FG) and 19.0 percent from beyond the arc (4-21 3-pt FG). Defensively, the hosts held Carolina to 31.6 percent shooting (30-95 FG) and 27.3 percent from deep (9-33 3-pt FG). Montreat outrebounded CU (70-50), while the visitors held the advantage in free-throw makes (19-15), steals (12-2) and blocks (4-2).
Sanders led the team with a season-high 30 points, and she tacked on seven boards as well. Winkler achieved a season-high in both scoring and rebounding with 19 and nine, respectively. Williams contributed 17 points of her own, adding on six rebounds and a personal-best four assists. Walraven walked away with her first career double-double, notching 11 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. Sands rounded out the offense with a squad-best eight assists.
Looking ahead, the Montreat College women's basketball team opens conference play on Wednesday, Nov. 12 when it takes on Union Commonwealth University in Barbourville, Ky. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.
