MONTREAT, N.C.— Mid-Atlantic Christian went on the road to open its 2022-23 men’s basketball season Friday night and claimed a solid 82-74 win at NAIA’s Montreat inb the first game under first-year head coach Charles Sims.
MACU (1-0) started the game with a quick 7-3 run before extending the advantage to 12-5 thanks to pressure in the Cavs’ backcourt. That press coupled with a 30 percent shooting clip for the home team allowed the visitors to build their edge out to double digits midway through the frame.
The Mustangs led in categories that made an immense difference in the outcome of the first period as MACU caused seven Montreat turnovers, forced an 0-10 3-point shooting stretch from the Cavaliers and outrebounded the Cavs on the glass 23-16 over the initial 20 minutes of action.
The Cavaliers’ shooting woes allowed the Mustangs to take a 38-29 lead into the break. At the half, the Cavs converted at a 37.9 percent rate (11-29 FG), while Mid-Atlantic Christian made 41.2 percent (14-34 FG) of its shots.
Defensive strength turned into offensive production for the Cavs, and a 12-4 run to start the second period helped Montreat immediately trim the deficit to a single possession (42-40) just 5:05 into the frame.
But the Herd responded with a 12-4 scoring spree of its own, and the Mustangs then built the advantage out to as many as 17 points (74-57) with 6:20 to go; however, Montreat wasn’t quite done either.
Over the ensuing 3:19, the Cavs scored 13 consecutive points, started by the first 3-point make of the night, a longball from Montreat’s Michael Erbeck. The Cavaliers got within four points on three separate occasions down the stretch, but MACU was able to ice the contest from the free throw line to secure the 8-point victory.
Both teams shot better in the second half as Montreat edged Mid-Atlantic Christian in field goal percentage (45.9-45.6). The visitors controlled the glass and converted from the charity stripe, which played an integral part in the upset. MACU held a 37-27 rebounding edge with 12 offensive boards and made 26 of 32 free throws to account for 32.0 percent of its scoring. The Cavs struggled from deep, making just one three in their 21 tries (4.8 percent).
All five Mustang starters scored double digits in a balanced attack led by senior guard Talik Totten’s 16 points.
“It was the first game of the season, and we took care of business,” said Sims.
“Tonight the tougher team won. Give credit where it’s due. MACU won the battle on the boards, got to the line more and made more plays down the stretch than we did,” said Montreat head coach Anthony Barringer.
Story courtesy montreatcavaliers.com
