ANDERSON, S.C.— The Belmont Abbey women's basketball team was locked in a close battle with Anderson Saturday afternoon at the Abney Athletic Center. The Crusaders had a final shot to win but it was the Trojans who held for a 54-52 victory over the Abbey.
 
Peyton Nation had a game-high 17 points to go with eight rebounds while Abigail Crain had 14 points, six rebounds and five steals. The five steals matches a career-high for Crain.
 
With Saturday's results, both Belmont Abbey and Anderson end the weekend with identical 2-2 records.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Belmont Abbey and Anderson were locked in a close battle early as Crain accounted for nine of the Crusaders' 13 points in the opening quarter.
• The Crusaders held a 23-21 lead at halftime as both teams kept each other in check defensively.
• A three-point play by Nation got the Abbey off to a good start in the second half.
• The third quarter was back-and-forth with five lead changes.
• A 3-pointer from Cate Schieber gave Belmont Abbey a 47-45 lead with 4:13 remaining.
• A three-point play from the Trojans gave them the lead back.
• Janiah Shular made a basket with 36 seconds remaining to get the Abbey back within 2.
• Belmont Abbey had a chance to win the game with a 3-pointer at the end but it was unsuccessful.
• The Crusaders outrebounded the Trojans 41-40 with eight from Nation and Shular and seven from Valeria Batista.
• Belmont Abbey had 18 offensive rebounds.
• The game was tied nine times and the lead changed 13 times in the contest.

 
UP NEXT

• After four games away from home to begin the season, the Crusaders will play its first home game against Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday.
• Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. from the Wheeler Center.