BELMONT, N.C. — Playing in its first home game in nearly two weeks, the Belmont Abbey women's basketball team made the most of its return home as the Crusaders used a fast start to get past Chowan for an 86-52 victory Saturday afternoon at the Wheeler Center.
The 86 points was a season-high for the Crusaders, who won their 12th straight contest.
Cate Schieber led the way for The Abbey, finishing with a game-high 24 points on 8-of-13 from 3-point range. It is the second time in three games that the sophomore guard has made eight 3-pointers. She also finished with a career-high seven steals on the defensive end as well.
Abigail Crain had 16 points to go with a season-high six assists.
Catherine Hendershott also finished in double figures scoring with 13 points and had seven rebounds.
Belmont Abbey improves to 17-5 overall, 10-1 in Conference Carolinas play. Chowan is now 8-8 overall, 8-4 in league play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Crusaders jumped out to an early 11-0 lead thanks to three 3-pointers from Schieber and a basket from Crain.
- Belmont Abbey did not allow a field goal from Chowan until the final 46 seconds of the opening quarter.
- Hendershott accounted for the first five points of the second quarter for the Crusaders.
- Chowan chipped to within 12 points in the third quarter but Belmont Abbey pulled away thanks to a 17-4 run in the period.
- The Crusaders finished with 17 assists, led by a game-high 7 from Riley James. James also had eight points.
- Belmont Abbey finished with a season-high 11 made 3-pointers.
- The Abbey outrebounded the Hawks 43-38. Janiah Shular had a team-best eight boards to go with eight points.
- On the defensive end, the Crusaders forced 25 Chowan turnovers.
UP NEXT
- The Crusaders have a week off before playing Conference Carolinas newcomer Young Harris at 2 p.m. next Saturday.
- The Abbey plays four of its final six regular season contests on the road.
- Belmont Abbey will also host the Conference Carolinas Developmental Women's Basketball Championship Monday at the Wheeler Center. There will be four games played starting at noon with Belmont Abbey, Lees-McRae, Barton and Erskine competing.