ASHEVILLE, N.C.— Montreat's women's basketball team played its final home game inside Kimmel Arena on the campus of UNC Asheville on Saturday. The Cavs hosted the Bryan College Lions for an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup. In the previous game between the two conference foes, the Lions (13-11, 11-8 AAC) triumphed 84-60. This time, the tides turned as the Cavs (16-7, 13-5 AAC) beat BC by a score of 77-68. This season at Kimmel, Montreat sported a 9-1 record, beating tough teams and using the NCAA Division I venue to its advantage.
 
The Cavaliers opened the day with a Rymiah Sanders 3-pointer. She splashed another one later in the quarter to break the only tie in the game at 5-5 in the first. After the trifecta, the Cavs never gave back the lead as they went into quarter number two leading 22-14.
 
The period before the half was one of back and forth runs. The Cavs did not let off the gas pedal and slightly extended their lead going into halftime. Triples from Katie Alexander and Virginia Edmondson helped push the lead to 13 points at the half (44-31).
 
To start the third period, the Lions pounced on the Cavaliers with a 13-4 run during the initial half of the quarter. Despite losing the frame 17-13, Edmondson got Montreat back on pace with a deep 3-pointer to close out the third (57-48).
 
Each team scored 20 points in the fourth. Half of the hosts' points came from Edmondson. Her 10 points in the quarter, paired with six from Alexander, put Bryan too far out of reach from the win. The Cavs prevailed behind a 77-68 scoreline.
 
Individually, Edmondson led all scorers with 24 points. Katie Alexander finished with a season-high 15 points, and Sanders concluded the day with 14 points of her own. Alexander had the most steals with three and the most assists with six, followed by Edmondson with five. Tresalyn Roberts had herself a day with eight points, nine rebounds and three blocks, all of which were career-highs.
 
Collectively, Montreat shot 52.5 percent from the floor by going 32-for-61. The Cavs hit seven 3-pointers on 19 attempts to shoot 36.8 percent from beyond the arc. The hosts shot just seven free throws in the contest, making six of them. The 85.7-percent mark is the best percentage in their last 13 games. Montreat tripled the fast break points compared to the visitors, outscoring them in the category 18-6. They also won the points in the paint battle, 42-24.
 
"We came out with a lot of energy and communication tonight, two things I challenged the team beforehand," said head coach Jamie Moore. "The team stayed consistent and just went out there and played our game. We are so thankful and blessed to use Kimmel Arena this season, but we are so excited to play at our true home court—that is a really big deal for our women."
 
Up next, the Cavaliers will host the Johnson University Royals on Feb. 12 inside McAlister Gymnasium. The matchup marks the first home basketball contest at the campus of Montreat College this season. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.