BELMONT, N.C. – The Belmont Abbey women's basketball team used a strong third quarter to pull away for a 68-53 over Southern Wesleyan in a Conference Carolinas game Wednesday at the Wheeler Center. The contest  was the eighth straight victory for the Crusaders who concluded a three-game home stand at the Wheeler Center.
 
Abigail Crain recorded her first double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds as she was one of four Crusaders in double figures.
 
Catherine Hendershott also had 13 points and four assists while Cate Schieber had 13 points, 11 of which came after halftime. Riley James added 11 points and rebounds off the bench for The Abbey.
 
The Crusaders are now 10-3 overall and an unbeaten 7-0 in Conference Carolinas play. Southern Wesleyan is now 2-14 and 2-6 in the league.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Crusaders went on a 9-2 run to take an eight-point lead after the first quarter.
• A pair of baskets by Ricky Lesenyego put Belmont Abbey up by 10 points early in the second quarter. It was the largest lead in the half for the Crusaders.
• Belmont Abbey started locking down the Warriors defensively by forcing straight turnovers to start the second half. The Crusaders held Southern Wesleyan to just one field goal in the quarter.
• The Abbey started off the second half with an 8-0 run thanks to a pair of 3-pointers by Schieber.
• Belmont Abbey finished with 12 steals in the win, marking the fourth time that the Crusaders have finished double figures in that category this season.
• Crain's double-double is the first for Belmont Abbey this season.
• Belmont Abbey out-rebounded Southern Wesleyan 42-24.

 
UP NEXT

• The Crusaders head on the road to face Barton at 2 p.m. Saturday in Wilson, N.C.
• Wednesday's game marked the first game of four in seven days for The Abbey.