TIGERVILLE, S.C. – The Belmont Abbey women's basketball team maintained its hold of the top spot in the Conference Carolinas standings with a 57-53 win over North Greenville Saturday at Hayes Gymnasium.
Abigail Crain led the Crusaders with a game-high 21 points to go with five rebounds, five steals, two assists and a blocked shot. It is the third straight game that the sophomore has scored 20-plus points and fourth time in the last five contest.
Taylor Stelley finished with 18 points and four steals.
It is the fourth straight win for Belmont Abbey, who improve to 6-3 overall and 5-0 in Conference Carolinas. North Greenville falls to 2-9 overall and 2-3 in the league.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After falling behind 9-4 early in the opening quarter, Crain book-ended a 6-0 burst with a pair of field goals to give Belmont Abbey a 10-9 lead.
- Belmont Abbey was able to break through late in the second quarter to take a 23-20 halftime lead.
- The Abbey was able to get out in transition offensively, outscoring North Greenville 17-2 in that category.
- Neither team had a lead greater than six points.
- Catherine Hendershott finished with eight points and a team-best six rebounds. Two of those field goals came in the final two minutes to help secure the win for Belmont Abbey.
- The Abbey finished 21-of-24 from the free throw line, both of which are season highs.
- Ricky Lesenyego added three blocks and two steals to lead the defensive effort for Belmont Abbey.
- Belmont Abbey finished with six blocks for the second straight game.
- The Abbey forced 22 turnovers in the win.
- Belmont Abbey held North Greenville to 34% shooting for the game.
- The Abbey won despite not making a 3-pointer, snapping a 157-game streak dating back to Feb. 11, 2017 also against North Greenville.
UP NEXT
- The Belmont Abbey women's basketball team will take an extended break for Christmas before returning to action on Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. at Wingate.
- The Crusaders' next home game at the Wheeler Center is scheduled for 2 p.m., Jan. 3, 2023 against Carson-Newman.