Belmont Abbey sophomore guard Richard Barbee led all scorers with 26 points as the Crusaders men's basketball team handed Conference Carolinas-leading Mount Olive its second conference loss with a 99-91 road win this evening at Kornegay Arena. The Abbey, winners of six-straight, snaps its nine-game losing streak to the Trojans as it improves to 17-7 overall and 13-4 in Conference Carolinas, while the Trojans fall to 16-8 overall and 15-2. The Crusaders 17 wins are the most in a season since the 2003-04 season, and tonight's win over the Trojans is the first since a 100-87 win during the 2003-04 season.

Barbee led four Crusaders in double figures with 26 points on nine of 16 shooting from the floor, while pulling down five rebounds, dishing out three assists and collecting three steals. Junior forward Chad Patus posted a double double with 23 points and 11 rebounds. He sank nine of his 12 field goal attempts and four of his six free throw attempts. Jonathan Jackson and Alex Pledger both contributed 19 points, with Jackson posting eight assists and three steals, while Pledger had seven rebounds and three blocked shots. Deonte Murphy led all players with nine assists as 24 of the Abbey's 34 field goals were assisted.

The Abbey made eight of its first nine shots as it finished with a 67 percent (14-21) effort from the floor, while the Trojans were just as effective, converting 63 percent (17-27) of its shots as it took a 46-42 lead at the half. In the second half, the Abbey outscored Mount Olive 57-45 as it coasted home with the eight point win.

Belmont Abbey finished the game shooting 64 percent (34-53) while Mount Olive shot 56 percent (27-48) from the field. The Trojans were led by Kendrick Easley and Justin Melton, who both finished with 23 points.