SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Belmont Abbey men's basketball team opened its 2021-22 season against Wingate Friday as part of the South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Challenge played at the Weisiger Center at Converse University. Both teams were locked in a close battle in the first half before the Bulldogs pulled away for a 75-55 victory over the Crusaders. Wingate moves to 1-0 on the season while Belmont Abbey is 0-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Chandler Baker led the way for Belmont Abbey with 15 points and six rebounds.
• The Crusaders got off to a good start by scoring the game's first six points and held an early 9-3 advantage.
• Both teams exchanged the lead eight times in a span of 10 minutes during the first half.
• The back-and-forth battle was capped off with a pair of 7-0 runs that resulted in a 29-27 lead for Belmont Abbey with 4:07 left in the half.
• The Abbey shot 53.3 percent from the field in the first half.
• Wingate led 35-33 at halftime. Belmont Abbey was able to get back within four points at 41-37 thanks to a Ryan Maslow dunk with 16:56 left in the game.
• Chandler Solomon had 10 points and four rebounds for the Crusaders.
• Mario Lacy, Jr. finished with a game-high 14 rebounds for Belmont Abbey.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey faces Mars Hill at 5:30 p.m. Saturday back at Converse University.