SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Abigail Crain finished with 17 points as the Belmont Abbey women's basketball team faced off against UNC Pembroke in the 2023 Atlantic Casualty Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Championship game Sunday afternoon at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium.
The Crusaders trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half and rallied to tie the game in the fourth quarter but the Braves came away with the 56-46 victory. Crain led the team in scoring with four rebounds and a steal.
Catherine Hendershott also finished in double figures scoring with 12 points and three rebounds.
Belmont Abbey is now 23-5 on the season and will await their postseason fate with the NCAA Division II Selection Show at 10:30 p.m. Sunday night.
UNC Pembroke is now 22-9 overall and earns the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Crusaders were held scoreless for the first 6:48 of the contest.
- Peyton Nation had the only two points of the opening quarter, both coming from the free throw line.
- The 14 points in the first half is the fewest for the team this season.
- The Crusaders trailed 16-2 in the early moments of the second quarter. The 14-point deficit is the largest for the Crusaders this season.
- Abigail Crain scored 15 of her 17 points in the second half, including nine in the third quarter.
- Peyton Nation led the Crusaders with 11 rebounds.
- Despite the offensive struggles in the first half, The Abbey scored the Braves 20-13 in the third quarter. That included closing the quarter on a 14-3 run.
- Hendershott's layup with 9:19 to go in the game pulled Belmont Abbey even at 38-38 all.
- The Braves outscored the Crusaders 7-2 in the final minute of the game.
- The Abbey went 16 of 19 from the free throw line in the contest.
CRAIN, STELLEY RECOGNIZED
- Following the conclusion of the championship game, Abigail Crain and Taylor Stelley were recognized as members of the All-Tournament team.
