Trailing by as much as 18 points, the Belmont Abbey women's basketball team took its first lead of the contest with 4:02 left in the game as the Lady Crusaders rallied for a 64-62 win at Queens this evening. The Abbey, winners of four of its last five, improves to 10-5 overall and 8-2 in Conference Carolinas, while the Royals slip to 7-8 overall and 6-4 in Conference Carolinas.

Belmont Abbey was down 37-24 at the half but outscored Queens 40-25 in the second half as two Kelsey Daniel free throws with 4:02 left gave the Abbey its first lead of the game, which it would hold until the final buzzer. The Abbey shot 41.2 percent (21-51) from the field, and 48 percent (12-25) in th second half as junior guard Ashley Giddens led the way with 14 points. Courtney Naquin and Shayla Jackson both finished with 12. Sophomore forward Asha Hardaway just missed recording a double double, posting nine points and 11 rebounds, six of those on the offensive glass.

Queens shot 46.2 percent (24-52) from the floor, but only 37.9 percent (11-29) in the second half after it shot 56.5 percent (13-23) in the opening half. Erin Goldner led all scorers with 17 points, while Marissa Hudley added 12 and Shakaria Hamlin chipped in with 11.