BANNER ELK, N.C. -- Romeao Ferguson and DeQuan Abrom each topped 20 points, but Lees-McRae posted a close 92-87 victory over Belmont Abbey in Conference Carolinas men's basketball action on Saturday. Ferguson finished with 26 points, while Abrom was right behind at 25.

The Crusaders, which played on the road for seventh time in nine games, falls to 12-9 overall and 8-5 in league play, while the Bobcats improve to 15-6, 8-5.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Ferguson added four rebounds and five assists, while Abrom was credited with five rebounds.
• Quest Aldridge reached double figures for the fifth time this season with 10 points.
• Charles Solomon grabbed a team-best eight rebounds.
• Belmont Abbey shot 47.3 percent in the contest and held a 40-32 rebounding advantage
• Lees-McRae led 49-47 at the break, then started the second half on a 6-1 run.
• The Crusaders scored the next eight points for its only lead of the period at 56-55, only to have LMC answer with three straight three-points to make the score 64-56.
• A 7-1 surge by The Abbey trimmed a nine-point lead to three, 85-82 with 30 seconds remaining, but the Bobcats hit seven of eight free throws from there to preserve the victory.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey steps out of conference play for the final time in 2019-20 on Wednesday.
• The Crusaders host Christendom in a single game at 7 p.m.