The Belmont Abbey women's basketball team dropped its home and conference opener 77-61 to the visiting Barton Bulldogs this evening at the Wheeler Center. Barton moves to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in Conference Carolinas, while the Crusaders drop to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in Conference Carolinas.

Belmont Abbey led 31-24 at the half as it closed the stanza on an 11-4 run over the final 3:34. Tied at 24 with 1:37 left, the Crusaders scored the final seven points of the half, five coming from Asha Hardaway.

The Crusaders shot 51.9 percent (14-27) in the frame and held the Bulldogs to a 32 percent (8-25) output.

In the second half, both teams shot an even 50 percent from the field, but Barton outscored the Abbey 53-30 in the half, building its advantage to as high as 18 points.

Jamila Johnson led the Bulldogs and all scorers with 24 points, 21 in the second half. She shot eight of 20 from the floor and sank seven of eight free throw attempts. She also had three assists and a steal in 31 minutes. Nyeshea Willie added 15 points, six steals and two assists, and Janae Jackson added 12 points. Barton shot 42.9 percent (27-63) from the floor and won the rebounding battle by a 37-33 count.

Belmont Abbey shot 51.1 percent (24-47) from the field as Paula Regalado led four Crusaders in double figures with 12 points on five of six shooting. She also had two steals and an assist. Hardaway added 11 points on four of six shooting with a game-high eight rebounds. Amanda McDonald and Candace Fox both scored ten points. Fox added three assists and two steals.