FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. -- DeQuan Abrom scored 30 points, but a frantic comeback came up just short as Belmont Abbey dropped a heartbreaking 75-72 decision to Emmanuel in the championship game of the 2019 Conference Carolinas Tournament.

The Crusaders trailed by as many as 13 points during the contest and were down nine, 69-60 with 3:09, but chipped away and had a chance to tie with a three in the final seconds.

Belmont Abbey (23-8) must now await word from the NCAA selection committee on whether its season merits an at-large selection. The decision will be announced tonight at 10:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Romeao Ferguson added 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds. He and Abrom were named to the all-tournament team following the game.
• Senior Ben Ferguson also chipped in 10 points, hitting a pair of three-pointers to run his season total to 96.
• Belmont Abbey outshot Emmanuel 48.1 percent to 41.9 percent for the game, but was outrebounded 42-33.
• Emmanuel (25-9) led by 14, 50-36, with 16:20 remaining and led by as many as 13 later, including 60-47 at the 12:29 mark.
• The lead was nine, 71-62 with 3:09 to play, when The Abbey made its final charge. It outscored the Lions 10-4 to cut the gap to three, then Abrom's layup with 15.9 to play made the score 74-72.
• After a free throw, Abrom had a chance to tie with three seconds left, but his shot from the top of the key went awry.
• After Belmont Abbey answered an opening basket with a three, Emmanuel tallied seven straight points for a 9-3 lead.
• The Crusaders tied the game at 16, but the Lions posted another 7-0 run to lead 23-16.
• The Abbey clawed back to within 25-22, EC ran off a third 7-0 spurt to push the lead to double digits, 32-22 with 6:24 left.
• The margin reached 13 three times before intermission before John Bowen converted a three-point play with 59 seconds left to make the halftime score 42-32.
• Belmont Abbey hit just 42.3 percent in the period, compared to 46.9 percent for Emmanuel.
• The Lions were led by tournament Most Valuable Player Kendrick Colvin, who led three players in double figures with 19 points and 16 rebounds.