FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. – Maria Kuhlman scored 26 points, leading the Belmont Abbey women's basketball team past Emmanuel 81-70 this evening.  The victory moves the Crusaders to 16-2 on the season, with an 11-1 conference record.  Emmanuel is now 11-6 overall, and 8-3 against Conference Carolinas opponents.

How it Happened

• Five Crusaders scored in the opening period, though the Lions led 18-15 when the period ended
• By the middle of the second, the lead was going back and forth, but a 3-pointer by Irelynn Davisson gave the Crusaders the lead for the rest of the quarter, and BAC held a 36-35 advantage at halftime
• It only took Kuhlman 2:22 into the third to score eight points for The Abbey, who now led 44-38.  Later in the quarter, Kuhlman scored nine straight points in a 1:38 span, and the Crusaders led 60-49 heading into the final period
• A 5-0 run early in the fourth put BAC on top by 14.  The Abbey never let the lead get below nine in the quarter, and finished off the 81-70 victory
• Kuhlman finished the night with 26 points on 9-for-16 shooting
• Brittany Autry recorded a double-double, her second of the season, with 17 points and 10 rebounds.  Allie Downing added 10 points and eight boards.  Hannah Roney handed out a game-high six assists

Up Next

Belmont Abbey will welcome King University to the Wheeler Center on Saturday, January 25 for a 2 p.m. contest.