Charlotte, NC - The Johnson & Wales Charlotte women's basketball team opened its 2023-24 campaign with a 73-71 win over Montreat on Saturday afternoon.

How it happened:

• Montreat jumped out to a 23-18 lead after one quarter as the Cavaliers shot 52.9% from the field and knocked down 4 of 5 free throws.
• The Wildcat defense stiffened in the second quarter as Montreat was held to just 7 points on 2 of 11 shooting.
• JWU also outrebounded their opponents 12-9 in the period, which led to four more shot attempts.
• The Wildcats used a 9-2 run over a two and a half minute stretch of the third quarter to build an eight point lead at 49-41.
• That lead grew to as many as 11 on a Jamyah Blakeney layup with 8 minutes to play.
• Trailing by eight with two and a half minutes left, the Cavs trimmed their deficit to a single point with six seconds left, but could get no closer.

Key Stats:

• JWU improves to 1-0, while Montreat falls to 0-3.
• The Wildcats shot 45.3% from the floor and outrebounded the Cavs 42-37.
• Jayla Lovett (16 points), Jordan Durant (15 points) and Gabby Tapley (14 points) all scored in double-figures for JWU.
• Samra Mims had 10 rebounds to go along with 9 points
• The win was head coach Jill Dunn's 200th as a collegiate head coach. Her record at JWU improves to 41-15.

Up Next:

The Wildcats will host Regent on Tuesday, November 7th at 5pm.