BELMONT, N.C. – The Belmont Abbey women's basketball team opened the 2023-24 season on a good note by earning a 73-48 victory over Mars Hill Friday evening in the Wheeler Center. The contest for both teams was part of the South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Challenge.
 
Four Crusaders finished in double figures led by a game-high 15 from Abigail Crain. Catherine Hendershott added 12 points while Katherine Bischoping had 11 as did Janiah Shular in her collegiate debut. The win is the 10th out of the last 11 at home at the Wheeler Center dating back to last season.
 
Janette Hanni had 14 points for Mars Hill while Tateyoina Harris added 11 for the Lions.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Crusaders used a strong defensive effort by forcing 29 turnovers and scoring 31 points of those turnovers.
• By comparison, Belmont Abbey had just nine turnovers for the game.
• Crain made the first field goal of the game for The Abbey just over two minutes into the game.
• After taking a four-point lead after the first 10 minutes, the Crusaders surged ahead with a 28-point second quarter highlighted by six made 3-pointers in the frame.
• Belmont Abbey also had an 11-0 run early in the period with Katie Story scoring five of those points in that run in her first collegiate appearance.
• Shular led the team in rebounds and steals with five and four, respectively, for The Abbey.
• The Crusaders also shared the basketball well with 15 assists led by four from both Shular and Story.
• Belmont Abbey's best shooting came in the third quarter as the team shot just under 59 percent from the field after halftime.
• Riley James made her first career start for the Crusaders in the opening contest.
• Eight Crusaders made their Belmont Abbey debuts in the victory.

 
UP NEXT

• The Crusaders conclude the opening weekend with a matchup against Emory & Henry at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Wheeler Center.
• The team will be the second game of the doubleheader as Mars Hill will face Southern Wesleyan at 2 p.m. Saturday.