Basketball Slips Past Montreat 58-51

The Brenau basketball team won its sixteenth game of the season with a 58-51 victory over Montreat (NC) College in Appalachian Athletic Conference play on Thursday in Gainesville.

The Golden Tigers jumped out to an early 19-10 first quarter lead, but struggled in the second and third quarters as the Cavaliers cut the lead to 45-41 going into the final stanza.

In the fourth quarter, the visitors opened the period with a 7-1 to take their first lead of the game at 48-46. However, two consecutive baskets by freshman post Ashanti Brown and a three-pointer by Kaylyn Brooks helped the home team regain the lead 53-48 and clinch the victory.

"This was a hard-fought victory for us," said head coach Kris Stewart. "We didn't play our best basketball, but we really rebounded well with 21 offensive rebounds and had good bench production- including key shots from Jamie Bunting and Madison Phillips."

"At this point in the season, every game is tough and Montreat really played hard. I am proud of our resilience and effort on both ends of the floor."

Brooks led all scorers with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Brown posted 13 points and seven boards. Autumn Dodson added 11 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Madison Phillips chipped in nine points and five rebounds.

Jala Daniels led Montreat (6-18 overall, 5-14 AAC) with 12 points.

Brenau (16-6 overall, 11-5 AAC) next travels to Allen University (15-10 overall, 11-9 AAC) for a 12 pm Appalachian Athletic Conference matchup. The Golden Tigers defeated the Yellow Jackets 76-58 in their previous meeting earlier in the season in Gainesville.