BELMONT, N.C. — Leigha Dennison and Lillian Bates both finished with career highs in scoring the Belmont Abbey women's basketball team opened its home schedule against Anderson Wednesday at the Wheeler Center.

Dennison and Bates had 18 and 12 points, respectively, but the Crusaders fell 71-68 to the Trojans despite the strong efforts. Riley James also finished with 14 points for the night for the Abbey and led the team with eight assists, six rebounds and added three steals.

Both teams are now 2-1 following the contest.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Dennsion and Bates accounted for the first four points of the contest for the Crusaders.
• Both teams battled back and forth but a three-pointer from James helped the Abbey pull even at 16-16 at the end of the first quarter.
• Anderson held a five-point lead in the third quarter but three free throws late in the half helped Belmont Abbey narrow the deficit to 43-41 at the half.
• Bates and Dennison accounted for two field goals each in the third quarter with Anderson leading by three entering the fourth quarter.
• Belmont Abbey trailed 68-62 with 4:31 left in the fourth quarter but basket from James and Brielle George got the Crusaders within two with 2:38 left in the contest.
• Bates earned two more points with her basket with 40.2 seconds left to make it 70-68 Anderson on an assist from James.
• Despite making a couple of defensive stops, the Crusaders were unable to get the tying basket.
• Isabella Martin finished with nine points and led the team with four steals and Brielle George added eight points and five rebounds off the bench.
• Bates added two blocked shots and the Crusaders shot 50.9 percent from the field.
• Belmont Abbey finished with 44 points in the paint.

UP NEXT

• The Belmont Abbey women's basketball team will host Lenoir-Rhyne in a nonconference contest on Saturday. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start.
• The Crusaders defeated the Bears 77-49 back on December 14, 2024 in Hickory, N.C.