FLORENCE, S.C.— It took overtime to decide a winner between the Belmont Abbey men's basketball team and Francis Marion Saturday at the Smith University Center.
The Crusaders and Patriots were locked in a tight battle before the Patriots came away with an 86-80 victory in a matchup of two of the top teams in the early part of the Conference Carolinas schedule.
Charles Solomon led the way for Belmont Abbey, finishing with a career-high 24 points to go with nine rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots.
Mario Lacy, Jr. recorded his second double-double of the year finishing with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Ryan Maslow and
Mason Taylor also finished in double figures scoring with 16 and 14 points, respectively. Maslow also had two blocks for The Abbey.
Belmont Abbey is now 3-5 overall and 2-1 in Conference Carolinas. Francis Marion is 5-3 overall, 3-0 in league play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Maslow and Taylor accounted for the first nine Crusaders points of the game.
- After being tied at 20-20 with seven minutes left in the half, Belmont Abbey went on a 16-6 run to eventually help build a 36-29 halftime lead.
- After falling behind 46-40 in the second half, the Crusaders went on a quick 6-0 run to pull back even at 46-all.
- Solomon scored 16 of his 24 points in the second half and in overtime.
- The Crusaders out-rebounded the Patriots 45-41 in the contest.
- Belmont Abbey finished with 19 assists and seven blocks, both of which are season-bests.
- Wade Jackson led the Crusaders with six assists to go with eight points.
UP NEXT
- The Crusaders return home for a pair of home games starting Wednesday against St. Augustine's at 7 p.m. at the Wheeler Center.
- Belmont Abbey steps back into conference play at 4 p.m. next Saturday against Lees-McRae.
