BELMONT, N.C. – Five Belmont Abbey players scored in double figures as the Crusaders opened up Conference Carolinas play with a wire-to-wire 79-37 victory over Converse Tuesday at the Wheeler Center.

Ricky Lesenyego led all scorers with a career-high 18 points to go with seven rebounds to lead the Abbey. Abigail Crain and Taylor Stelley had 14 points each for the Crusaders while Katherine Bischoping finished one rebound shy of a double-double earning 13 points and nine rebounds. Additionally, Riley James also finished with 12 points on the night.

The win was the first of the season for Belmont Abbey and the first for head coach Kim Lusk in charge of the program. The Crusaders are now 1-2 overall, 1-0 in the conference. Converse falls to 0-5, 0-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Crusaders got off to a strong start by scoring the first 11 points of the contest.
• Belmont Abbey held the Valkyries to just nine points in the first half, including three field goals.
• The Crusaders kept the scoring pace going with a 30-point halftime advantage at 39-9.
• Belmont Abbey outrebounded Converse 39-20.
• The Crusaders finished with a season-high 17 assists while also recording eight steals and four blocked shots.
• Belmont Abbey finished the game with shooting 54.1 percent from the field.
• Kendall Ellison made her collegiate debut late in the contest for the Crusaders.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey returns to the court Saturday for a nonconference game against Newberry at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Wheeler Center.
• The Crusaders close out the home stand with a game against Anderson at 5 p.m. Monday.