BELMONT, N.C. - Maria Kuhlman scored 19 points, and the Belmont Abbey women's basketball team earned a 74-55 victory over Lees-McRae this evening.  The victory moves The Abbey to 9-2 on the season, with a 5-1 Conference Carolinas record.  The Bobcats dipped to 3-3 overall, and 3-3 in conference play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After the teams traded the lead early, Allie Downing nailed a 3-point shot to give Belmont Abbey a 12-9 lead.  The Crusaders never gave up the lead after that, and led 15-12 at the end of the quarter
• Early in the second, BAC made three 3-point shots in a row to take a 24-17 lead
• A 6-0 Abbey run at the end of the period gave the Crusaders a 36-25 halftime lead
• The Abbey opened up the third with a 9-2 run.  Later in the quarter, the Abbey defense held Lees-McRae scoreless for nearly five minutes.  This gave BAC a commanding 56-35 lead heading into the final period
• It only took Kuhlman 23 seconds into the fourth to get the scoring started for The Abbey
• Shelby Darden scored six points in the final three minutes to help Belmont Abbey close out the 74-55 win
• On the night, Kuhlman was the Crusader leader with 19 points, on 5-for-10 shooting
• Brittany Autry chipped in 15 points with six rebounds
• As a unit, Belmont Abbey held Less-McRae to 19-59 shooting for the contest

UP NEXT

Belmont Abbey will visit North Greenville on Saturday, January 30 for a 2 p.m. tipoff.