BELMONT, N.C. -- Belmont Abbey shot a sizzling 74.1 percent in the opening half, building a 27-point lead at one point, then hung on for a 96-86 victory over Mount Olive in Conference Carolinas men's basketball action Saturday afternoon.

Mario Lacy, Jr., tallied 24 points on nine-for-nine shooting, to lead four players in double figures.

It was the ninth win in 10 games for the Crusaders, who improve to 9-5 overall and 5-1 in league play. The Trojans fall to 4-11, 2-4.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Lacy added seven rebounds, all defensive, a blocked shot and two steals.
• Wade Jackson scored 21 points, 20 in the first half, while Mason Taylor finished with 16. KJ Garrett chipped in 15 points.
• The Crusaders connected on 20 of 27 from the field in the opening 20 minutes, en route to a 55-32 lead at the break.
• The biggest lead of the game came with 14:11 remaining, when a three by Garrett put The Abbey  up 70-43.
• Mount Olive cut the gap to six with just under a minute to play.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey closes out a four-game homestand on Wednesday night.
• The Crusaders welcome Southern Wesleyan to the Wheeler Center for a 7 p.m. contest.
• The teams met earlier this year, an 83-67 Belmont Abbey win on Nov. 30.