BLUEFIELD, Va. -- A game-opening 20-2 run propelled the Bluefield College women's basketball team to a 77-55 win over Montreat College on Wednesday night in Appalachian Athletic Conference action at the Dome Gymnasium.

The season-high 77 points helped Bluefield clinch its seventh-straight, 10-plus win season as the team improved to 10-12 on the year and also leveled its league mark to 7-7. Montreat, meanwhile, drops to 2-19 for the season and 1-13 in conference play.

Reigning AAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week Destiny Tolliver and sophomore guard Whitney Smith set the tone early for BC and paced the team on the evening, tallying 23--a new career high for Tolliver--and 15 points, respectively.

Both Tolliver and Smith notched eight points apiece in the first 6:57 of play as Bluefield took command of the game early, 20-2. Maryah Mazyck chipped in two points as well, as BC went 8-for-17 from the floor in the span and Montreat was just 1-for-8 with five turnovers.

Smith and Tolliver continued the efficient first half for Bluefield. Smith knocked down four of her five attempts from long-range and scored all 15 of her points in in the first half, as she only played six minutes after the break. Tolliver outmatched Montreat inside, on her way to a 10-point, nine rebound first half.

Montreat struggled from the floor in the opening period, going through two separate three-plus minute scoreless droughts and enduring a 7:10 stretch in which they did not score a field goal. For the opening 20 minutes, the Cavaliers were just 7-for-20 from the floor.

Bluefield recorded two more 10-0 runs in the second half, with the second closing on a Sharonda Tate jumper and earning BC its largest lead of the night, 71-34 with 7:10 remaining.

Montreat posted a 9-0 run shortly after, but never closed the deficit to less than 21.

Bluefield finished the game 27-for-69 (39.1%), while Montreat's second half boosted its performance to 20-for-63 (31.7%) on the night. Bluefield hit 9-of-24 (39.1%) attempts from beyond-the arc, matching its season high for made three-pointers in a game. Montreat was 6-for-21 (28.6%) from three-point range.

Tolliver, who played just 23 minutes on the night, closed the game with 14 rebounds to help BC to a 47-42 edge on the glass. Fifteen of Bluefield's caroms came on the offensive side, helping the team to a 20-8 edge in second-chance points.

Playing its final game of a three-game AAC homestand, BC will now return to the road on Saturday, when it travels to face St. Andrews University. Game time is slated for noon.