[Men's Basketball] Montreat Drives Past TWU

MONTREAT, N.C. – With each step up the NAIA DII Rankings, the #12 Montreat Cavaliers become an increasingly valuable motivational win opportunity for their opponents. That was the case when the TWU Bulldogs arrived at McAlister on Wednesday night. 

The hosts scored early and proved they were up to the task of backing their new billing with a convincing 114-78 win over the Bulldogs (5-12, 3-7) before a near-capacity crowd at McAlister Gym. Montreat led the game from start-to-finish. 

Montreat's David Caldwell (JR/Charlotte, NC) served early notice of his night ahead when he opened the game's scoring with a signature long-range three-pointer to stake the Cavs to a 3-0 lead. The junior shot a blistering 60% from three-point range en route to his season's best game with 24 points. He added three rebounds and one assist.

The Cavaliers as a whole were on the mark from within and beyond the arc. Montreat shot 46% from the field overall and 47% from three-point range. Austin Butler (SO/Morganton, NC) (SO/Morganton, NC) followed-up a 28-point effort at Milligan with 4-9 shooting on three-point attempts and 14 points on the night.

Alonzo Mobley (JR/Lincolnton, NC) made a welcome return to the Cavaliers' lineup after missing the last game and registered a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Jeron Hemphill (JR/Morganton, NC) had right around his season average with six rebounds and also added 11 points. All-in 16 Cavaliers' found their way onto the scorer's sheet as head coach Garrett Jones continued to outlast teams by employing the full length of his bench.

Cavalier Notes: The Cavaliers are the only team in the NAIA's DII top-25 with one loss and also correspondingly own the highest winning percentage in the division at .938. They are also the top-ranked team in the AAC as the defending champion Union Bulldogs hold the #24 spot nationally. 

Next Up: The Cavs travel to face a solid Reinhardt Eagles' (11-7, 6-3) squad in Waleska, Ga.. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.

Pictured: Montreat senior Sean Doman (SR/Queens, NY)'s quick first step and stride help him drive past a TWU defender for a late game score. 

Photo Credit: Montreat Athletics