BELMONT, N.C. -- Four players topped double figures -- led by DeQuan Abrom's 27 points -- helping Belmont Abbey past Emmanuel 85-80 in a back-and-forth affair at the Wheeler Center Wednesday night. With its fifth straight win, the Crusaders improve to 17-9 overall and 12-6 in Conference Carolinas play, while Emmanuel falls to 16-11, 13-6.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Romeao Ferguson tallied 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Sean Halloran registered 12 points and five assists before fouling out. Quest Aldridge knocked in 10 of his 12 points in the first half, plus grabbed a career-high seven rebounds.
• Abrom moved into second place on The Abbey's all-time scoring list with 2,063 career points. He passed Lavar Curry (2044 from 1985-89) and David Kershaw 2049 from 1977-81. Abrom also added five rebounds and three steals.
• Freshman Charles Solomon enjoyed one of his best outing of the season with seven points, seven rebounds and a career-best four blocked shots.
• Belmont Abbey shot only 45.7 percent (27 of 59) from the field, but limited Emmanuel to only 39.7 percent, the second-lowest total by an opponent all year.
• The Crusaders led by as many as 11 late in the first half, but the Lions rallied to within five, 47-42 at the break.
• The second half featured six lead changes and a tie, all of which occurred in the final 9:25.
• The Abbey trailed 71-70 with 3:56 to play, but Abrom scored five straight -- a dunk and a three-pointer -- in a 33-second span plus took a charge in between.
• Emmanuel cut the margin back to one twice after that at 76-75 with 2:27 left and 80-79 at the 41-second mark.
• But Abrom converted a layup to push the margin back to three, then Solomon grabbed a defensive rebound and hit a pair of free throws with eight seconds left to secure the victory.
• Rebounds (38) and turnovers (17) were both even.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey continues its three-game season-ending homestand on Saturday against Erskine.
• Injured senior ThankGod Avar as well as Ferguson and Abrom will be honored as graduating seniors.
• Tipoff of the nightcap of the doubleheader will be at approximately 7:30.