Belmont Abbey senior guard Richard Barbee led all scorers with 30 points as the Crusaders opened the 2010-11 season with an 86-81 win at Carson-Newman this evening in the season opener for both teams.

The Virginia Beach, Virginia product fashioned 11 field goals on 16 attempts, and sank all eight of his free throws. He also had nine rebounds, eight steals and three assists in 30 minutes. Barbee was one of four Crusaders to reach double figures, as Tyshawn Good posted 16 points, Jay Council added 12 on a near-perfect shooting night, hitting all three of his field goal attempts, including two from three-point range, and converting four of six free throws. Terrone Sheffey posted 11 points and four assists.

Belmont Abbey led 45-42 at the half behind a 59.3 percent shooting effort, and limiting the Eagles to a 45.7 effort. For the game, the Crusaders shot 59.3 percent (30-55) and held Carson-Newman to a 43.1 percent output (28-65).

The Crusaders held a razor-thin one point lead at 76-75 with 2:10 left, but the Abbey outscored the Eagles 10-6 the rest of the way, as Barbee scored five of the points, while Council sealed the win with a free throw with three seconds left.