CENTRAL, S.C. — Kallie Lusk finished with a career-high 21 points while Janiah Shular recorded a double-double as the Belmont Abbey women's basketball team opened the 2025-26 season with a 72-60 victory over Mars Hill Friday evening at Southern Wesleyan's Tysinger Gymnasium. The contest was part of the season-opening South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Challenge.

Lusk had 21 points off the bench while Shular had 10 points and 15 rebounds to go with three steals. 11 of Shular's 15 rebounds were on the offensive glass. Leigha Dennison also finished in double figures with 16 points and added five steals while Brielle George had 15 rebounds in her first collegiate game.

Friday's contest marked the season opener for both teams.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Crusaders got off to a strong start thanks to a 12-0 run in the first quarter to take a 20-8 lead.
• Belmont Abbey held an eight-point lead over the Lions at halftime.
• In the third quarter, Lusk managed to score eight of a 10-point Crusader run.
• Riley James' basket with 4:11 left in the third quarter gave Belmont Abbey a 16-point lead. James had seven points to go with five assists, five rebounds and three steals.
• Mars Hill got within eight points at 59-51 with under eight minutes to play but the Crusaders went on an 11-4 run to help put the game out of reach.
• The Crusaders forced 20 Mars Hill turnovers.
• George finished the night with six points, 15 rebounds, three steals and a blocked shot.
• Audra Hillman, Bella Martin and Ava Fulkerson all made their Crusader debuts as well in the contest.
• Belmont Abbey finished with 56 rebounds and went 15-of-18 from the free throw line.

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders will return to the court Saturday to face Emory & Henry at 2 p.m. Saturday back at Tysinger Gymnasium.
• Belmont Abbey defeated the Wasps 60-49 last season in the season-opening Conference Challenge.