MARS HILL, N.C. - Maria Kuhlman scored 25 points, leading the Belmont Abbey women's basketball team to a 70-60 victory over the Mars Hill Lions this evening.  The victory puts the Crusaders at 3-3 this season.  The Lions now stand at 1-3.

How it Happened

• Kuhlman hit two three-pointers in a minute to give The Abbey an 11-6 lead early
• The Crusader defense finished the period strong, not giving up a Mars Hill point over the last 5:40 of the quarter.  When the period was over, Belmont Abbey led 15-6
• During the second, the Crusaders put together another span of 5:40 of not surrendering a Lion field goal.  This helped The Abbey jump to a 30-18 lead by halftime
• Kuhlman scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the half
• Three-pointers were the story for Belmont Abbey in the third, as Kuhlman and Allie Downing each made two 3-point shots in the first five minutes of the period.  15 of the team's 23 points in the quarter came from 3-point range
• In the fourth the defense once again play strong, surrendering just one Mars Hill field goal over the first five minutes of the period
• The Crusaders proceeded to make 11 free throws in the quarter to finish off the 70-60 win
• Kuhlman scored 25 points for Belmont Abbey, including 5-for-9 from 3-point range.  She also pulled down nine rebounds
• Downing earned a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards

Up Next

Belmont Abbey will open its conference season on Saturday, when it hosts Southern Wesleyan University in a 2 p.m. game.