After three- and one-point victories over conference foes during their last two games, the Montreat women's basketball team wanted nothing more than a chance to build on those wins, inch closer toward the coveted "20-win season" plateau, and maybe breathe a little easier by facing a team that would offer less resistance than had UVa-Wise and Reinhardt, their two previous opponents. 

Enter the Columbia College Koalas.

On Monday night, February 8, in McAlister Gym, Montreat ran its record to 17-8 with an easy 86-47 win over the Koalas as three Cavaliers hit double figures and two more scored nine points.  The 39-point margin of victory was Montreat's largest since November, when the women recorded four wins of forty points or more.  It is some indication of the Cavaliers' improvement over the course of the 2009-2010 season that their first game against Columbia resulted in a much closer result as Montreat emerged with a 7-point victory.

Head Coach Craig Jackson noted the contributions from many players and saluted the balanced attack.  The game's high scorer, Alicia Wallace scored 17, while Whitney Boone and Chaecie Bullock each added 13.  Bullock's three-pointer at the end of the first half stretched the Cavs' lead to 19.

Titi Takai scored 9 and hauled in 11 rebounds and Janel Cox chipped in 9 points as well as the home team opened up a 45-point lead in the second half. 

After 25 games last season, the Cavaliers were languishing at 7-18 on their way to a 9-22 finish.  What a difference a year can make.

The Cavaliers' fourth consecutive home game falls on Wednesday, February 10 when Bennett College visits from Greensboro, N.C.  Two of Montreat's next three games are against the Belles as Jackson and his squad eye a 20-win season.