COLUMBIA, S.C.— Trying to solidify its position in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) standings, the Montreat women's basketball team closed out its three-game road trip on Wednesday with a league matchup versus the Columbia International University Rams. Playing in South Carolina's capital city, the Cavaliers capitalized on their high-level defensive effort to seize a 59-47 victory and improve to 15-7 (12-5 AAC) on the year.
Katie Alexander and
Virginia Edmondson drained triples during the opening 2:08 as the visitors held a slim 6-4 advantage early in the contest. Columbia International (1-18, 1-15 AAC) went on a 7-0 run midway through the quarter, but the Cavs responded late in the frame with a 7-0 spurt of their own. Sanders sank a pair of free throws and, after a
Grace Rinaldo 3-pointer, beat the buzzer to level the score at 18-18 through 10 minutes of play.
Montreat had a slight edge over the hosts in a low-scoring second period. The two sides combined for just five points through the initial five minutes, and they teamed up for merely 15 points total. Sanders rattled off the Cavaliers' final five points in the half, though, allowing them to enter the intermission on top, 27-24.
The Rams began the second half on a high note, pouring in 11 of the first 16 points to retake the lead in less than four minutes (35-32); however, Montreat dominated the remainder of the third quarter. Over the final six minutes, the Cavs outscored their counterparts by 14 points (16-2). The visitors held CIU without a field goal over that same stretch as they surged in front via a 48-37 scoreline.
Erasing any hope of a Columbia International comeback, Montreat managed to build its largest lead of the night midway through the fourth quarter.
Karis Alexander baskets bookended a layup from Edmondson to cap off a 7-0 run and put the away team in front, 55-41. The Cavaliers' smothering defense then ended the contest by keeping the hosts scoreless for the final 3:56. When the final buzzer sounded, Montreat snagged its second road win in three days, this time with a 59-47 final score.
"Super proud of our group for picking up our second road win this week," said head coach
Jamie Moore. "We had to make some adjustments during the game, and our women found a way to get it done."
The visitors' defensive effort was evident on the stat sheet. CIU shot just 30.5 percent from the field (18-59 FG), 16.7 percent from deep (3-18 3-pt FG) and 44.4 percent from the line (8-18 FT), all while also turning the ball over 23 times. Montreat scored 23 points off those miscues as it went 23-for-67 overall (34.3 percent), 7-for-28 from beyond the arc (25.0 percent) and 6-for-8 at the stripe (75.0 percent). The Cavs accumulated more steals (16-9), assists (12-7) and points in the paint (30-22), while the Rams accounted for more rebounds (43-39) and second chance points (14-7).
Edmondson and Sanders tied for a game-high with 17 points apiece. Sanders also grabbed six boards, while
Katie Alexander led all players with 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Cierra Lail was credited with a career-best five steals.
Montreat begins a three-game homestand on Saturday when it welcomes the Bryan College Lions to Kimmel Arena. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. in Asheville, N.C.
