Montreat College's men's basketball team began the new year in disappointing fashion, dropping two home games to extend to eight a losing streak that began on November 24, 2009.  The Cavaliers' record stands at 2-13 after non-conference losses to Emmanuel College on January 2 and to Brevard College two nights later.  

The Emmanuel Lions entered McAlister Gymnasium sporting a 12-2 record and escaped what seemed like a mismatch with a hard-fought 78-74 victory.  Junior Forward Tedrick Hudson led the Lions with 20 points and 7 rebounds while the Cavs' Matt Rushing mirrored Hudson's effort with 20 points and 6 boards.

While Montreat Head Coach Jonathan Bennett is certainly not seeking any "moral victories," he was pleased with his team's effort against a squad that won last season's National Christian College Athletic Association National Title.  Bennett said, "We played one of our best games of the season against a very talented team."

In fact, Bennett sees areas where improvement can yield some much-needed wins: "We're still having trouble making shots inside the three-point line.  We shot better outside the arc than we did inside the three-point line."

Two nights later, the Tornadoes from Brevard College visited Montreat and won 95-83 behind 25 points from Jonathan Whitson and 18 from Shane Galloway.  Junior Forward Matt Rushing answered Brevard's challenge again, scoring 24, while Vince Dombrowski contributed 15 in a losing effort.  

Bennett was pleased with the Cavaliers' effort as they cut the Tornadoes' lead to six late before succumbing, noting that Montreat shot well - 46% from the field and 81% from the free throw line.  But coaches are interested in wins, as well, and Bennett declared: "We're playing hard ... but now it's time for us to start winning some games."

At no time would that desire be more fruitfully achieved than over the next ten days as Montreat plays three consecutive Appalachian Athletic Conference contests, starting with a January 6 visit to Reinhardt College.