BELMONT, N.C. – The Belmont Abbey men's basketball team hosted UNC Pembroke in a Conference Carolinas matchup Saturday at the Wheeler Center. The Crusaders were able to nearly mount a rally but fell 71-62 to the Braves. The Abbey trailed by as many as 14 points and got as close as seven late into the second half. The Crusaders are now 5-6 overall, 3-4 in the conference while the Braves move to 9-1 and 6-1, respectively.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Sean Halloran and Chandler Baker accounted for the first two made field goals of the game for the Crusaders.
• Bosko Bojovic and K.J. Garrett accounted for 11 of the final 15 points of the first half for The Abbey. The duo led a late surge with a pair of layups in the final six seconds in the first half to pull Belmont Abbey within 10 points at 31-21 at halftime.
• Belmont Abbey held UNC Pembroke to 34.3% shooting in the first half.
• The Crusaders got things going offensively from beyond the arc, making all six 3-pointers attempted after halftime.
• Belmont Abbey shot 51.4% from the field in the second half.
• Quest Aldridge led the way for The Abbey in his first home game of the season with a team-high 14 points off the bench. He also accounted for two steals.
• Sean Halloran also finished in double figures scoring with 12 points, a team-high four assists and a pair of steals.
• L.J. McCoy led Belmont Abbey with six rebounds.

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders are off for the next two weeks for Christmas Break.
• The Abbey returns to Conference Carolinas play at Francis Marion at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4, 2022 in Florence, S.C.
• The next home game at the Wheeler Center will against Mount Olive at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 against Mount Olive.