BELMONT, N.C. -- Mason Taylor scored a career-high 29 points -- with 20 in the second half -- and Belmont Abbey closed the last eight minutes on a 27-6 run, leading the Crusaders to an 84-81 upset of 22nd-ranked Converse in Conference Carolinas men's basketball action on Wednesday night.

The Abbey trailed by as many as 23 points midway through the second half and was down 75-57 with 8:07 to play. It also scored the final six points of the contest over the final 2:50.

In snapping a six-game losing streak, Belmont Abbey improves to 2-7 overall, 1-1 in league play and 1-0 in the Northwest Division, while the Valkyries drop to 8-1, 2-1, 0-1 with their first loss of the year.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Taylor hit 11 of 18 from the field overall, including four from beyond the three-point arc. He also grabbed three rebounds and dished out an assist.
• Jaylon Simpson also tallied a career-best with 13 points, making six of seven free throws, while adding four rebounds and the Crusaders' only blocked shot.
• Wade Jackson (11 points) and freshman Judah Sault (career-high 10 points) also reached double figures.
• Jacori Owens led The Abbey in rebounding with five, while Darius Kane had a team-best and career-high four assists.
• The Crusaders held a 33-30 advantage on the boards and committed just 10 turnovers to Converse's 12.
• Converse held the lead for 37:27 of the contest, while the Crusaders were in front for only 1:45.
• Down 18 at 75-57 with 8:07 to play, Kyle Frazier hit a three and Taylor dunked on a fast break. After a pair of free throws, The Abbey ran off 10 straight points to cut the margin to just five, 77-72, at the 5:11 mark.
• Converse went back up by seven on a basket, but Taylor and Simpson hit back-to-back threes to pull BAC within one, 79-78 with 3:08 to play. The Valkyries' final points came on a pair of free throws with 2:50 left.
• A Simpson layup off an Owens steal with 1:29 remaining made the score 81-80, with an intentional foul on the play putting Simpson at the line for two free throws, of which he made the second to even the game.
• Retaining possession, Taylor made one of two at the charity stripe with 1:23 to play to give The Abbey the lead for good.
• After both teams failed to score on their next two possessions, another Owens steal, and his only two points of the night on two free throws with six ticks left sealed the game, although a desperation attempt by Converse at the buzzer came up short.
• Converse entered the game ranked 22nd in the country by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and were receiving votes in the D2 College Sports Communicators (D2CSC) poll.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey hits the road for the first time in Conference Carolinas play this weekend.
• The Crusaders travel to Mount Olive for a 3 p.m. contest on Saturday.