BANNER ELK, N.C. - Brittany Autry posted her third double-double of the season to lead the Belmont Abbey women's basketball team past Lees-McRae 87-43 this evening.  The win makes 14 in a row for the #17-ranked Crusaders.  BAC now stands at 18-2 overall, and 14-1 against Conference Carolinas opponents.  The Bobcats are now 7-8 on the year.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Autry only needed 11 seconds into the game to put the Crusaders on the board, and Belmont Abbey never looked back from there.  A 3-point shot by Maria Kuhlman at the 5:49 mark put BAC in front 15-2.  The Abbey led 24-13 when the period ended
• The second quarter was all Abbey.  Autry once again got the scoring started, while Hannah Roney made back-to-back 3s, and Belmont Abbey jumped out to a 32-15 lead
• The defense gave up no field goals over the last five minutes, and The Abbey held a solid 48-21 halftime lead.  Belmont Abbey outscored Lees-McRae 24-8 in the quarter
• In the third, the defense was again solid, giving up no field goals in the first four minutes of the period.  Kelli Thomas nailed two free throws near the end of the quarter to give The Abbey a 67-30 lead heading into the final period
• The defense again was solid in the fourth.  Sydni Clawges scored four points in the final two minutes, and the Crusaders wrapped up the 87-43 victory
• On the night, Autry was the Crusaders' leader, with 16 points and 11 rebounds
• Kuhlman chipped in 12 points and seven boards
• On the defensive side, The Abbey held the Bobcats to 26.9% shooting, and also made 11 steals

UP NEXT

Belmont Abbey will wrap up its regular season on Thursday, February 25 with a 7 p.m. contest at Converse.