SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Mason Taylor scored 26 points, including four late free throws, and two late runs, lifted fourth-seeded Belmont Abbey to a 77-67 upset of top-seeded and No. 7-ranked UNC Pembroke Saturday evening in the semifinal round of the 2023 Atlantic Casualty Insurance Conference Carolinas Tournament. With the victory, the 19-11 Crusaders will make their sixth straight championship game appearance.

Three other Crusaders reached double figures in scoring  -- Wade Jackson with 18 and Mario Lacy, Jr. and KJ Garrett with 11 each.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The game was a complete reversal of the lone regular-season meeting, an 87-51 Braves win 10 days ago.
• Belmont Abbey shot 49.0 percent from the field (25 of 51) and limited UNCP to 39.0 percent, including 23.1 percent after intermission.
• Taylor made seven of nine attempts overall and four of five from three-point range. He also made eight of nine free throws overall, including three of four technical shots with 22 seconds remaining. They stretched a 72-67 lead to 75-67.
• The Abbey entered the game shooting just 60.0 percent at the free throw line, but made 18 of 29 (62.1 percent). However, it made seven of nine in the final 36 seconds.
• The Crusaders were outrebounded 39-30 after facing a 53-28 deficit in the last meeting.
• The seven turnovers tied for the second-lowest total of the season.
• Charles Solomon blocked two shots to become the school's all-time leader. He has 117 in his career, one more than Kyle Phillips (2008-16).

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey faces the winner of Saturday's second semifinal between Emmanuel and Barton in the 4 p.m. championship game.
• The Crusaders will make their sixth straight championship game appearance. They are 3-2 in the previous five.
• The Belmont Abbey women's team will also play for the title tomorrow, facing No. 3 seed UNC Pembroke.