BELMONT, N.C. – Riley James made a game-winning jump shot with one second remaining in overtime as Belmont Abbey rallied for a 53-52 victory over Wingate Saturday afternoon at the Wheeler Center.
 
Trailing 52-49 with less than a minute left, Abigail Crain scored with 44 seconds remaining to get back within one. The Crusaders had a chance to take the lead with less than 20 seconds left but a Wingate turnover with 16 seconds remaining gave the team a second chance.
 
That set the stage for James, who hit a turn-around jump shot with one second remaining. The defense forced a turnover on the other end to seal the win.
 
James scored a season-high 13 points for The Abbey while adding four rebounds and two steals in the win. Abigail Crain led all scorers with 16 points while Janiah Shular earned her second double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
 
Saturday's contest served as the non-conference finale for The Abbey, who improved to 7-5 on the season and closed 2023 with two wins over regional ranked opponents. Wingate is now 7-4 on the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• James and Crain accounted for the first 11 points of the afternoon for the Crusaders.
• Wingate's largest lead of the half was four points before Belmont Abbey scored six points in the final two minutes of the half to trail 24-23 after 20 minutes.
• Crain's field goal at 5:35 left in the third quarter gave the Abbey its first lead since the opening period at 31-29.
• Neither team held a lead greater than four points in the game.
• James' jump shot with 2:12 left in regulation tied the game at 45-45 and the score remained there heading into overtime.
• Belmont Abbey won its second straight overtime contest with the last win coming Feb. 11, a 77-68 win at Chowan in double overtime.
• Shular's six of her 10 points came in the fourth quarter.
• The Crusaders went a perfect 13-of-13 from the free throw line and had a season-best 13 steals.
• Saturday's contest featured 15 ties and nine lead changes.

 
UP NEXT

• The Crusaders will play in their first Conference Carolinas road contest of the season as the team takes on King at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday January 3, 2024 in Bristol, Tenn.
• Following that matchup. Belmont Abbey will play its next three Conference Carolinas games at home.