COLUMBIA, S.C.— The Montreat College women's basketball team went on the road on Wednesday for their second consecutive Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) away game, taking on the Columbia International University Rams. The Cavaliers fell to the Rams by a final score of 89-77. Following the contest, the Cavs moved to 3-4 overall (1-1 AAC), while CIU improved to 2-5 overall (1-1 AAC).
 
The game began with an intense back-and-forth scoring effort from both teams. Rymiah Sanders and Bayleigh Winkler led the way for Montreat to start the period. Sanders contributed with a layup and fast break 3-pointer, while Winkler put in work with a jumper and a fast break bucket of her own. That sequence brought the scoreline to a one-point margin, 10-9, with CIU holding the narrow advantage.
 
Columbia International attempted to fend off the Cavs, but another Sanders' basket from deep coupled with a bucket from Samiah Mitchell helped Montreat regain control of the quarter. The Cavaliers closed the remainder of the initial frame with a pair of free throws from Mitchell, securing a 20–14 lead after the first period.
 
The Rams came out of the quarter break applying pressure, and a quick 7-0 scoring run from the hosts put the Cavs on their heels. A fast break layup from Ayanna Varela broke the dry spell and helped the Cavaliers regain a 22-21 lead with a little over seven minutes to play in the opening half.
 
Trinety Dajuste contributed back-to-back baskets for Montreat at the halfway point in the quarter to propel the visitors to a 29-25 lead. However, CIU's consistent scoring and defensive stops allowed the home side to build momentum. Despite the Cavaliers' efforts, including Ella Kate Walraven's free throw and Varela's 3-pointer, which narrowed the gap to 35-33, Columbia International concluded the frame by scoring with just two seconds left on the clock. The make aided the hosts in securing a 37-33 lead heading into halftime.
 
Montreat opened the second half with strong defense, as Mitchell recorded two early steals, helping keep the pressure on CIU. Tresalyn Roberts capitalized with a tip-in, her first points of this year's campaign. Sarah Williams took control of the offense for the Cavaliers, scoring three straight baskets, doing her best to keep the visitors close. Despite the effort from the Cavs, the Rams continued to respond with a series of successful drives, extending their lead to double digits, 50–40, midway through the third quarter.


Continuing to stay persistent, a bucket down low from Ania Sands and 3-pointers from Walraven and Williams helped keep the Cavaliers' offense alive. The remainder of the third was controlled by CIU, though, as the hosts held a double-digit edge at 65-55 when the quarter ended.
 
The final period began with Montreat making a swift response to CIU's big lead, as Mitchell scored, assisted by Sands, not even 10 seconds in the quarter. Mitchell continued to impress, hitting a shot from deep as well. Major contributions from Williams and Walraven brought the gap to just six, 76-70, with a little over half the quarter to play.
 
The charity stripe proved useful for the Cavaliers down the stretch. Four straight free throws, two from Varela and two from Laila Harvey, brought the game to its tightest margin of the quarter, 79-74. Despite the final push, Columbia International finished the game with a 10-3 scoring burst to wrap up the fourth and ultimately win the matchup via an 89-77 final score.
 
The Cavs shot 36.8 percent overall (28-76 FG) and 26.9 percent from beyond the arc (7-26 3-pt FG). Montreat held CIU to shooting 43.5 percent from the field (30-69 FG) and 26.7 percent from three (8-30 3-pt FG). The Rams narrowly held the edge in rebounds (44-43) and assists (17-12), while the Cavaliers maintained the advantage in steals (8-6) and turnovers forced (18-16).
 
All 11 players who appeared in the contest for Montreat scored at least two points and hauled in at least one rebound. Sanders led the Cavs with 13 points, and she also grabbed five boards. Williams contributed 12 points, and Walraven also found herself in double figures with 10 points. Sands led the team in both rebounds and assists, tallying six in both categories. Mitchell showed out defensively with three steals, and she tacked on nine points.
 
Looking ahead, Montreat will face the University of Pikeville in an AAC matchup on Saturday, Nov. 22. The game will take place at McAlister Gymnasium in Montreat, N.C., with tipoff set for 2 p.m.