GAFFNEY, S.C. - Forward Emry Tsitouris scored a season-high 22 points and grabbed six rebounds, but The Abbey suffered its first Conference Carolinas loss of the season, falling 92-71 at Limestone.  The loss puts Belmont Abbey at 10-5 on the season and 7-1 in conference play.  The Saints are now 13-3 overall, with an 8-1 conference record.

Tsitouris scored four quick points to give Belmont Abbey an early lead, but Limestone went on a run to take a 19-7 lead at the end of the quarter.  Tsitouris scored six of The Abbey's seven points in the period.  In the second, Tsitouris scored six points in the opening 1:27 to make it a 25-12 Saints lead.  This sparked a 12-2 Crusaders run, which pulled The Abbey to within five at 27-22.  Forward Taylor Gittings scored five points during the run.  Near the end of the quarter, the Crusaders went on a 7-2 run, capped by two Irelynn Davisson free throws to make it a 35-28 Limestone lead.  At halftime, the Saints led 39-28.

In the third, Limestone went on a run to go up 51-32.  Then the Crusaders scored eight points in a 2:13 span.  The Saints, however, led 67-47 at the end of the quarter.  The Crusaders scored nine points in first two and a half minutes of the fourth.  Later in the quarter, forward Keyanna Spivey scored five points in 32 seconds.  At the end, the Saints took the game 92-71.

On the day, Tsitouris' 22 points led The Abbey's efforts.  She and Allie Downing each grabbed six rebounds to lead the team.  Tsitouris also went 10-for-17 from the field.  Downing and Spivey finished with 11 points.

Belmont Abbey will next visit Converse College on Monday, January 15.  That contest will tip off at 6 p.m. in Spartanburg, S.C.