BELMONT, N.C. -- Mason Taylor and Blake Hadley each recorded career highs in scoring and Belmont Abbey outscored Carson Newman 11-3 in overtime, lifting the Crusaders to a 72-64 victory over the Eagles in non-conference men's basketball action Tuesday afternoon at the Wheeler Center.

Taylor hit 9 of 16 overall from the field, including three of five from three-point range, and knock down all three free-throw attempts en route to 24 points, while Hadley converted seven of nine from the field for 14 points.

With its eighth win in nine outings, The Abbey improves to 8-5 on the season. The Eagles, ranked eighth in yesterday's D2SIDA Southeast Regional Poll falls to 10-4 overall.

Earlier in the day, Mario Lacy, Jr., was named Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Week after grabbing 10 defensive rebounds and made three steals against Lenoir-Rhyne last Friday. It is the third time a Crusader has won the award this year, joining two-time recipient Mason Taylor.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Wade Jackson also reached double figures in scoring with 13 points. He added four rebounds and two assists.
• Taylor was the rebounding leader with seven, while Charles Solomon tallied seven points, four boards, four assists, four steals and a blocked shot.
• The Eagles opened the contest with nine straight points, but the Crusaders rallied for a 35-28 lead at intermission.
• Belmont Abbey scored the final eight points of overtime after a Carson-Newman three tied the game at 64 with 3:11 to play.
• The Crusader hit 9 of 13 free throws after entering the game hitting just 52.0 percent at the stripe.
• The win was the 12th straight at home dating back to a loss to Lees-McRae on Jan. 19 of last year. C-N had a seven--game road winning streak snapped.
• The Crusaders wrapped up non-conference play with a 4-4 record.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey continues its four-game homestand with a return to Conference Carolinas play.
• The Crusaders welcome Mount Olive to the Wheeler Center for a Saturday matinee.