TIGERVILLE, S.C. -- Belmont Abbey closed out its pre-Christmas schedule Saturday with its best defensive effort of the season, leading to a 59-47 win over North Greenville in Conference Carolinas men's basketball action.

The visiting Crusaders, who posted their sixth win in the last seven games after an 0-4 start, held the hosts to 27.6 percent (16-of-58) shooting from the field and 17.4 percent (4-of-23) from three-point range.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Belmont Abbey placed just two players in double figures -- Mario Lacy, Jr., with 12 and Wade Jackson with 11. Both of them were just short of a double-double with nine rebounds.
• Mason Taylor led the rebounding efforts with a career-high 11, but missed double-figure scoring for the first time all season with with nine points. He also dished out a career-best six assists.
• The Abbey held a 49-40 advantage on the boards and had a season-low five turnovers.
• BAC converted just 32.8 percent from the field, its lowest percentage of the year.
• Belmont Abbey improved to 6-5 overall and 4-1 in league play, while NGU fell to 1-10, 0-5.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey takes its NCAA-designated Christmas break before returning to the court on December 30.
• The Crusaders host Lenoir-Rhyne at 5 p.m. to open a four-game homestand.