MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Belmont Abbey women's basketball team overcame a double-digit second half deficit and pulled away for a 77-68 double overtime win at Chowan in Conference Carolinas play Saturday afternoon at Bob Burke Court.
 
Trailing by as many as 11 points in the third quarter and eight entering the fourth quarter, the Crusaders were able to overcome Chowan making a pair of game-tying shots at the end of regulation and the first overtime period to come away with the win. It was the first overtime game that the Crusaders have played this season.
 
Riley James scored a game-high and career-high 21 points in the win and was one of four Belmont Abbey players to finish in double figures. Abigail Crain finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds while Taylor Stelley had 13 points. Catherine Hendershott finished with 11 points and added five steals.
 
It is the ninth straight road win for The Abbey, who have also won 17 of their last 18 games. The Crusaders improved to 19-4 overall, 16-1 in the conference. The win also ensures Belmont Abbey will be a Top 3 seed at the Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Tournament. Chowan is now 14-9 overall, 10-7 in the league.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Peyton Nation made her first start of the season on Saturday. She finished with six points and five rebounds.
• The Crusaders were held in check to 10 points in the first quarter, the lowest point total of the season in the opening quarter.
• The Hawks held a six-point lead at halftime
• Belmont Abbey had a 7-2 run midway through the third quarter to get itself back in the game after trailing by 11 points.
• The Abbey used a 10-2 run to start the fourth quarter to erase an eight-point deficit and tie the game at 47-all with 4:07 to go.
• A Cate Schieber 3-pointer with 2:44 left in regulation gave the Crusaders a 50-47 lead. It was the first lead of the game since the team went up 3-2 early in the game.
• Destiny Robinson tipped the ball in at the end of regulation for Chowan to tie the game at 55-55.
• Chowan's Yasmine Brown made a 3-pointer with four seconds left in in the first overtime to tie the game at 65-65.
• The Crusaders finished the game with a season-high in free throws made and free throw attempts, finishing 33 of 40 from the foul line.
• Belmont Abbey closed the game outscoring Chowan 12-3 in the second overtime, including five of six made free throws.
• Cate Schieber finished with nine points and four steals with all nine points coming in the second half and in overtime.
• Belmont Abbey finished with 14 steals, matching a season-high from the contest at North Greenville back on December 17, 2022.
• The Crusaders forced 24 turnovers and set a new season-high in that category.

 
 
UP NEXT

• The Crusaders play their final home game of the regular season against Erskine at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Wheeler Center.
• Belmont Abbey follows that with road games at Lees-McRae and UNC Pembroke to end the regular season.