BELMONT, N.C. - Allie Downing led a group of five Belmont Abbey players to score in double figures in tonight's 76-61 victory over Chowan.  With the win, The Abbey improved to 16-2 on the year, and 12-1 in conference play, and clinched home court advantage in the first round of the Conference Carolinas tournament.  Chowan dipped to 5-7.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Midway through the opening quarter, Downing made a jumper to give BAC a 7-6 lead, and The Abbey never looked back from there.  She also made a layup to close out the quarter, and the Crusaders led 15-10
• The Abbey wasted no time in the second, scoring two 3-point shots in the opening minute
• Later in the period, the Crusader defense gave up just one Chowan field goal over a four-minute span.  Downing scored each of the last sox Crusader points of the quarter, giving The Abbey a 41-28 halftime lead
• The teams traded baskets early in the third, with the Crusaders maintaining a double-digit lead.  BAC held a 62-45 lead heading into the final period
• Defense was the story in the fourth.  The 7:30 mark started a 3:23 span in which the Crusaders gave up just one point
• The Abbey also gave up just one field goal in the last three minutes of the game to seal the 76-61 victory
• On the night, Downing led the Crusaders with 14 points
• Brittany Autry and Keyanna Spivey each scored 11 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and made one steal

UP NEXT

Belmont Abbey will welcome Converse to the Wheeler Center on Saturday, February 20 at 8 p.m. as the team will celebrate Senior Night.