BELMONT, N.C. – The Belmont Abbey women's basketball team improved to 4-0 in Conference Carolinas play thanks to a 68-36 victory over Lees-McRae Saturday afternoon at the Wheeler Center. Saturday's game was the final contest at home for 2022.

The 36 points is a season-low allowed by the Crusaders this season and the third time that Belmont Abbey has held an opponent under 40 points this season.

Abigail Crain finished with a game-high 22 points on 8 of 11 shooting to go with seven rebounds and three assists. It is the second straight game and third in the last four contests that the sophomore forward has scored 22 points in the game. 

Taylor Stelley added 17 points while Cate Schieber had 12 points to go with six rebounds and three steals.

Belmont Abbey improved its overall record to 5-3 and maintained its hold of the top spot in the conference standings. Lees-McRae fell to 0-8, 0-4 in league play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Crusaders got off to a good start with a 9-2 run to open the contest.
• After the Bobcats got back within single digits in the first half, Belmont Abbey closed the half on an 8-1 run to take a 33-17 halftime lead.
• The Crusaders capped off a 13-2 run in the third quarter with a three-pointer at the buzzer by Stelley.
• Belmont Abbey finished with a season-high 10 steals for the contest. Scheiber and Riley James each had three steals.
• The Abbey also matched its season high with 42 rebounds, led by eight from James.
• Saturday's victory was the third time this season that the Crusaders won by 20 or more points.
• The Crusaders also went 17-of-18 from the free throw line, shooting a season-best 94.4 percent from the line.
• Ricky Lesenyego finished with six rebounds and five blocks.
• Maria Trettel made her collegiate debut late in the contest.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey prepares for its final game before Christmas with a road contest at North Greenville at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 in Tigerville, S.C.
• The Crusaders' next home game will be Tuesday, January, 3, 2023 at 2 p.m. against Carson-Newman.