MONTREAT, N.C. — The Montreat College women's basketball team earned a 78-58 victory over Voorhees University on Monday evening inside McAlister Gymnasium. The Cavaliers turned a 25-22 deficit into a 42-25 lead with a pivotal 20-0 run spanning the second and third quarters. With the win, Montreat improved to 2-2 on the season, while Voorhees moved to 0-1.
Sarah Williams opened the hosts' scoring with a 3-pointer off an EK Walraven assist, while Mariia Fedoseeva later connected from beyond the arc off a Williams pass to give the Cavaliers a 7-6 advantage nearly four minutes into the contest. Kailah Crawford added a layup midway through the frame after grabbing an offensive rebound, and Montreat followed by forcing six consecutive Voorhees turnovers over a 1:41 span. Williams, Ayanna Varela and Nuria Rubio each recorded a steal during the stretch, while Se'Nai Camper drained a 3-pointer off a Williams assist to put the hosts ahead 12-10. After the Tigers briefly regained the lead, Williams closed the quarter with another triple, this time assisted by Camper, to give the Cavs a 15-14 edge.
Fedoseeva began the second quarter with a 3-pointer off a Williams pass 19 seconds in, putting the Cavaliers ahead 18-16. Voorhees responded and eventually claimed a 25-22 advantage before Katie Alexander tied the game with a triple off a Camper assist. The home team then capitalized on turnovers with layups from Varela and Walraven before Alexander connected from beyond the arc again to extend the lead to 32-25 with just under four minutes remaining. Kara Connor added a layup, Williams recorded a block and Varela converted another Camper assist as the Cavs closed the half with a strong defensive stretch. The hosts recorded seven steals and seven assists on eight made field goals in the quarter, holding the visitors scoreless for the final 6:28 to take a 36-25 lead into halftime.
The home side began the second half by extending its advantage to 42-25, with Varela scoring twice around a Williams jumper. Williams assisted both of Varela's baskets. The Tigers responded by cutting the deficit to 42-33 before Alexander knocked down a 3-pointer at the 5:50 mark. Following a Camper block and defensive rebound, Alexander connected from deep again roughly 90 seconds later to push the lead out to 48-36. Montreat continued to generate offense through defensive pressure, with Walraven and Camper each recording a steal before Camper set up Rubio's 3-pointer with 1:14 remaining. Alexander and Williams then combined for four free throws over the final 1:31 to send the Cavaliers into the fourth quarter with a 55-41 advantage.
Walraven started the final quarter with a fastbreak layup just over 20 seconds in, extending the Cavs' lead to 57-41. The Cavaliers then endured a nearly five-minute scoring drought, allowing Voorhees to cut the margin to three before Alexander's free throw and Varela's layup pushed the lead to 60-56. Montreat regained momentum through its defensive pressure, as Walraven recorded multiple steals while adding a layup, an assist on Camper's 3-pointer and two free throws during the closing stretch. Fedoseeva knocked down two late triples, including one with nine seconds remaining, as the hosts secured the 78-58 victory.
"Defense is something that we will always hang our hat on," said Head Coach Jamie Moore. "I wasn't always pleased with our defense tonight, but for the most part, we were in the gaps and forcing some turnovers. That is what gave us the push at the end of the game."
Montreat finished the contest shooting 37.1 percent from the floor (26-70 FG), 38.9 percent from the 3-point line (14-36 3-pt FG) and 70.6 percent at the free-throw line (12-17 FT). The Cavs limited Voorhees to 35.3 percent shooting (24-68 FG), 15.8 percent from beyond the arc (3-19 3-pt FG) and 70.0 percent at the charity stripe (7-10 FT). The hosts held advantages in assists (21-10), points off turnovers (30-12), turnovers (33-18) and bench points (35-24), while the Tigers led in rebounds (52-35) and second-chance points (16-9).
Four Cavalier players reached double figures, led by Fedoseeva and Alexander with 15 points apiece. Fedoseeva connected on five 3-pointers and grabbed four rebounds, while Alexander made four of her five attempts from beyond the arc and recorded two steals. Williams added 13 points, a career-high seven assists and three steals, while Varela contributed 10 points and four steals. Walraven also made an impact defensively with a personal-best seven steals, and she added eight points and four assists on offense.
The Cavaliers will travel to Boone, N.C., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, for an exhibition matchup against NCAA Division I Appalachian State University. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.
