BELMONT, N.C. -- Belmont Abbey scored the first seven points of the game en route to an early 20-4 lead and never looked back in a 107-68 victory over Francis Marion in Conference Carolinas men's basketball action Saturday afternoon.

Mason Taylor tallied a career-high 26 points, while KJ Garrett dished out a career-best 11 assists, tied for third-most in the single-game records.

With the win, the Crusaders improved to 15-8 overall moved into a tie for third with Barton in the league standings at 11-4. The Patriots fall a game behind into fifth place at 13-8, 10-5.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Taylor connected on eight of nine overall from the field, including all five three-point attempts. He also was perfect on his five free-throw tries and grabbed seven rebounds.
• Kyle Frazier tallied a career-high 17 points, hitting five of six from the field (three of four three-pointers) and four of five free throws.
• Blake Hadley was the third player to reach double figures at 12 points.
• Mario Lacy, Jr., just missed a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds.
• Belmont Abbey shot 62.9 percent from the field in the first half and 54.5 percent overall.
• Following a 23-0 run to end Wednesday night's win over Erskine, the Crusaders scored 30 straight after the opening run. That extended to 38-2 with a 15-2 score Saturday and 72-19 when the lead was 30 with 4:04 remaining in the period.
• The 107 points were a season-high, as were 57 points in the opening 20 minutes and 50 points after intermission.
• The Abbey held a 43-36 advantage on the boards and has one fewer turnover (12 to 13).

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey returns to action on Tuesday with a second straight home game.
• The Crusaders host King at 7 p.m. in the Wheeler Center in the second game of a doubleheader.
• The Abbey defeated the Tornado 83-75 in Bristol on Jan. 18.