BELMONT, N.C. — Leigha Dennison scored the final four of her career-high 20 points in overtime as the Belmont Abbey women's basketball team earned an 86-83 victory over Lenoir-Rhyne Saturday afternoon at the Wheeler Center.

Dennison also had the basket to put the Crusaders ahead in regulation with 7.7 seconds remaining and was one of two 20-point scorers on the afternoon. Kallie Lusk matched her career high from the season-opener with 21 points to go with seven rebounds and three assists.

With 2:25 remaining in overtime, Lusk complete a three-point play to take an 81-80 lead. After the Bears made a pair of free throws, Dennison made a go-ahead layup on assist from Lusk with 1:07 remaining. The Abbey then made two defensive stops, including a steal from Janiah Shular with less than 10 seconds remaining.

Dennison made the two free throws and Lenoir-Rhyne missed a potential tying three-pointer at the buzzer. The Crusaders had five in double figures scoring.

Belmont Abbey improves to 3-1 on the season while Lenoir-Rhyne is 2-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After Lenoir-Rhyne scored the first four points of the game, Belmont Abbey answered with an 11-0 run.
• Riley James made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the first quarter with the Abbey ahead 23-17. She finished with 13 points to go with four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
• The Crusaders held the Bears to just one field goal in the second quarter.
• Belmont Abbey led by as many as 14 points in the second quarter and took an eight-point lead at halftime.
• Lenoir-Rhyne answered in a big way in the third quarter with a 14-3 run to open the second half.
• The Crusaders trailed by five in the fourth quarter but a 9-2 run helped put the Abbey back in front.
• Shular had 14 points, nine of which came in overtime, and was one of five Crusaders in double figures scoring.
• Lenoir-Rhyne made a pair of tying free throws with 44 and 3 seconds left to send the game to overtime.
• Brielle George had two of her 12 points with her basket with 3:21 remaning.
• The Crusaders held the Bears to just one field goal in overtime and finished with 11 steals.
• Lillian Bates had three blocks for the Abbey as well.
• The game featured a combined 71 free throws and 53 fouls.

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders open Conference Carolinas play with a contest against King on Tuesday.
• The game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start at the Wheeler Center.