Basketball Defeats Montreat 85-80 in 2OTs

January 8, 2021

Montreat, North Carolina- The Brenau basketball team forced 25 turnovers and added 21 offensive rebounds en route to a 85-80 double overtime victory over Montreat (N.C.) College in Appalachian Athletic Conference play on Thursday.

In the first half, Montreat stormed out to a 9-4 early lead as the Golden Tigers offense started 1-12 (8%) to begin the game. However, the Brenau defense forced the Cavaliers into nine turnovers in the period which propelled the squad to a 10-3 run to finish the period with a 14-12 advantage.

The Brenau offense found its stride in the second quarter as freshman Pollie Simpson scored on consecutive possessions and junior Tamia Francis also added back to back scores to extend the lead to 25-14. Both teams battled through the remainder of the second quarter until freshman Nyla Moore added a basket just before the half to give Brenau a 33-27 lead going into intermission.

Brenau led the entire third quarter and into the fourth quarter until the Cavaliers' Caleigh Raby hit a short jumper to give the home team a 64-63 lead with 6:03 to play. Both teams again played even down the stretch as neither team could increase its lead by more than two points. Montreat's Jessika Leak hit two free throws with 38 seconds remaining to give Montreat a 70-68 lead, however Francis scored with five seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.

In the first overtime period, Montreat's Keyasia Meade hit two free throws to help extend the Cavaliers' lead to 75-72 with 25 seconds remaining. After the ensuing timeout, Brenau sophomore Katherine Fourie nailed a three pointer to send the game into the second overtime.

The momentum carried forward for the Golden Tigers as the team outscored the Cavaliers 10-5 in the period to clinch the victory.

Junior Tyleia Williams led all scorers with 25 points while Fourie added 13 points. Francis chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds and senior Tatiyana McClendon added six points and 14 rebounds.

Montreat was led by Zhaira Brown's 23 points.

Brenau outrebounded the Cavaliers 59-52, including a decisive 21-13 advantage on the offensive glass.

Brenau (3-4 overall, 3-4 AAC) next hosts Bluefield (Va.) College (4-8 overall, 4-6 AAC) on Saturday at 2 pm in Gainesville. This will be the second meeting of the teams this season as Brenau previously defeated Bluefield 75-65 in the first matchup.

The game will be livestreamed here.