Postgame Press Conference

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Quest Aldridge scored 23 points, hitting 13 of 15 free throws, and No. 2 seed Belmont Abbey used a late run to upset ninth-ranked and top-seeded UNC-Pembroke 79-73 in the championship game of the 2022 Conference Carolinas Men's Basketball Tournament Sunday afternoon.

The Crusaders (22-9) earned their second straight title and fifth overall by outscoring the Braves 18-7 over the final 4:41. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Sean Halloran scored 14 points, while freshman KJ Garrett added 13. Chandler Baker also topped double figures with 11 points.
• Bosko Bojovic and Mario Lacy, Jr., each grabbed six rebounds. The Crusaders had 43 boards as a team, just one less than UNCP.
• Belmont Abbey shot a season-low 35.4 percent (23 of 65)after hitting 60.8 percent (76-125) the previous two games combined.
• Belmont Abbey led by five when the Braves went on a 13-3 run to open a 66-61 advantage, but then started the its final rally. A three-pointer by Garrett with 3:50 left tied the game at 66.
• The Abbey improved to 18-2 when leading at the half. It was a slim 37-36 margin at the break.
• Aldridge was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player, while Halloran and Baker were also on the all-tournament team.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey advances to the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional next weekend with the league's automatic bid.
• The Crusaders will find out their seed and opponent tonight at 10:30 on the NCAA.com selection show.