BELMONT, N.C. -- Dionte Alexander led three players in double figures, but a late surge lifted King to a 79-74 victory over Belmont Abbey in Conference Carolinas men's basketball action Wednesday night. Alexander finished the contest with a career high 26 points, while adding five rebounds.

With the result, The Abbey Falls to 1-12 overall and 0-10 in league play. The Tornado improve to 9-9, 7-3. The teams are 0-4 and 4-0, respectively, in the Northwest Division.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Alexander hit 10 field goals -- the most by a Crusader this season -- including four from behind the three point line and made both free throws. He scored 17 of his points in the first half, when Belmont Abbey built halftime lead (38-33) for the third time this year.
• Khamani Wertz tallied 14 points, the fourth time in his five games that he had topped double figures since returning from a preseason injury in January. He also dished out a team-high six assists.
• Jordan Patton was the final player over 10 points with 15. He shared top rebounding honors with Alexander at five.
• The Crusaders forced 14 turnovers, while committing just nine, one off its season-low

UP NEXT

• After playing its two previous games on the road, Belmont Abbey heads out again for another set of back-to-back games.
• The trip starts Saturday at Chowan and finishes Tuesday at Erskine.