SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Belmont Abbey women's basketball team used a strong defensive effort in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 58-41 victory over Converse in Conference Carolinas play Saturday at the Weisiger Center.
 
The Crusaders were able to earn their 14th straight win by outscoring the Valkyries 18-5 in the fourth quarter. As part of that run, The Abbey did not allow a field goal over the final nine minutes of the contest.
 
Riley James led all scorers with a career-high 14 points, including eight in the fourth quarter. She also accounted for five rebounds, two assists and two steals in the win.
 
Abigail Crain reached double figures scoring for the 16th time this season with 13 points. She was the leading rebounder for the Crusaders with eight and also had two assists and two steals. Catherine Hendershott also finished in double figures scoring with 10.
 
The Crusaders moved to 16-3 overall and 13-0 in the league as the team concludes the month of January with a perfect 9-0 record. Converse is now 4-18 overall, 4-10 in the league.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Belmont Abbey got off to a quick start by scoring five points in the first minute of the game from a Hendershott layup and a 3-pointer by Taylor Stelley.
• The Crusaders got a spark to close the first quarter when Cate Schieber made a putback layup off a missed jump shot to close the frame with a 16-11 lead Additionally, Schieber finished with six rebounds, two steals and two blocks
• The Abbey's largest lead in the first half was nine points.
• Belmont Abbey did not trail for the entire game and held a four-point lead going into the fourth quarter.
• Hendershott's jump shot with 8:20 remaining put Belmont Abbey ahead 42-40 and gave her team the lead for good.
• James made four of her final five field goals to help the Crusaders close the game out.  
• Belmont Abbey outrebounded Converse 33-26.
• The Crusaders went 17-of-22 from the free throw line Saturday. It is the 11th game this season that the team has made 15 or more free throws and are 10-1 in those games.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey heads on the road to face Erskine at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Due West, South Carolina. It will be the first meeting of the season between the Crusaders and the Flying Fleet.
• Head coach Kim Lusk will have a chance to earn her 300th coaching win after earning win No. 299 Saturday.