Basketball Slips Past Montreat 74-67

The Brenau basketball team rallied from an early thirteen point deficit to defeat Montreat (NC) 74-67 in non-conference play on Saturday.

The host Cavaliers shot a blistering 57% in the first quarter to take an early 21-7 lead. However, a Carmen Garcia-Pitarch Lopez three-pointer cut the lead to 11 just before the end of the quarter.

In the second quarter, seniors Dominique Patrick and Briah Woods combined for 14 points to lead Brenau to a 26-point quarter to even the score at 36-36 at halftime.

In the second half, the Golden Tigers maintained their offensive attack, as both Lia Thomas and Quinnesha Turner each added six points in the second half. Junior Autumn Dodson also scored 18 of her career-high 21 points in the second half to secure the win.

"This was another good test for us," said head coach Kris Stewart. "Montreat started off very strong and I credit our bench for pulling out this game. Dominque (Patrick) Lia (Thomas) and Carmen (Garcia-Pitarch Lopez) really gave us a boost today."

"We were pushed today by a good Montreat team and we answered the challenge."

Woods picked up her first double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Jasmine Knight added three points, eight rebounds and five assists. Patrick added 11 points, while Sydney Haas chipped in seven points and four rebounds.

Darah Dewalt led Montreat with a game-high 23 points.

Brenau shot 25-59 (42%) from the floor, while Montreat was 23-50 (46%).

Brenau (2-0) next travels to Tennessee Wesleyan University on Tuesday for a 5:30 non-conference matchup.