Reinhardt began the scoring with a two-point field goal but Montreat built a 10-point lead (24-14) midway through the opening half. The Eagles regained the advantage, 33-32, before trailing 40-38 at the intermission. The second half started with five lead changes and two ties before Reinhardt went on top for good, 50-49, at the 15:36 mark. The Eagles' largest lead was 21 points (90-69) in the final minute.

The winners finished at 49.3 percent (33-of-67) from the field while the Cavaliers shot 50.9 percent (29-of-57). From three-point range, Reinhardt was 14-of-25 (56.0 percent), compared to just 3-of-12 (25.0 percent) for the guests. The Eagles had a commanding 37-20 edge in rebounds, including 23-5 on the offensive end. Both teams committed 15 turnovers.

David Lawson came up with a game-high 27 points, four assists and three steals off the bench for Reinhardt while Xavier Mayfield tossed in a season-best 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor, including 5-of-7 from behind the three-point arc. Tyler Blackwell tallied 13 points and a season- and game-high 11 rebounds while Ishmael John ended with 10 points, four assists and three steals. Jerome Carmichael chipped in with nine points, five boards and a season-best five assists.

The Eagles improve to 9-8 overall and 4-2 in the AAC while Montreat is 8-8 overall and also 4-2 in conference play. Reinhardt is away from home for an AAC contest against the Bryan College Lions on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Dayton, Tenn. The game follows the Reinhardt-Bryan women's contest that is slated for 5:30 p.m.