BELMONT, N.C. -- Wade Jackson tallied 15 points to lead five players in double figures and Jacori Owens notched his first career double-double, but Catawba used a late rally to defeat Belmont Abbey 90-83 in men's college basketball Tuesday night. The Crusaders had trailed by 20 midway through the first half, but eventually took the lead for over six minutes in the second.

The result drops The Abbey to 1-4 on the season, while the Indians were playing their season opener.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Jackson added five rebound and two assists to his stat line.
• Mason Taylor tallied 14 points, six rebounds and three assists. He made just two baskets, but hit all 10 of his attempts at the charity stripe.
• Freshman Khamani Wertz scored 13 points (with three three-pointers) and dished out five assists, while Jaylon Simpson chipped in 12.
• Owens grabbed a team-season-high and career-high 10 rebounds to go with his 11 points. His double-double was the first of the season for any Crusader.
• Catawba built a 27-7 lead by the 10:22 mark of the opening period, but The Abbey ended the half with a 17-6 spurt over the final 4:25.
• An 8-0 run by BAC early in the second half turned a 49-44 deficit into a 52-49 lead with 14:56 to play.
• But the Indians rallied later with seven straight points, turnover a 72-70 deficit at the 5:04 mark into a 77-72 lead just 1:12 later.
• Catawba made nine of its 10 free throws in the final 2:42 and seven of eight in the last 1:01.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey has a full week off to celebrate Thanksgiving.
• The Crusaders return to action next Wednesday when they travel to Limestone to face the Saints.