SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Alhousseny Diallo scored a go-ahead layup with 20 seconds remaining, then hit two free throws with seven ticks left, lifting Belmont Abbey to a 70-67 victory over Converse in Conference Carolinas men's basketball action Saturday afternoon. The Crusaders had trailed 67-61 with 2:27 to play before tallying the final nine points of the contest. 

With the wind, the Crusaders improve to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in league play, while the Valkyries fall to 3-5, 2-2. The Abbey remained undefeated in Northwest Division action with two wins in as many opportunities. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Diallo posted a career-high 25 points while grabbing a season-best 11 rebounds. It was his first double double of the season and third of his career. He hit 11-of-13 from the field overall and knocked down all three free-throw attempts.
• Franklin Davis and Elijah Burkett also reached double figures in scoring with 15 and 10 points, respectively. Burkett was the team's assist leader with six while Davis tallied four.
• Belmont Abbey shot 45.3 percent (29 of 64) from the field and committed a season-low five turnovers.
• Trailing 67-61 with 2:27 left, Davis hit a layup and three- pointer to close the gap to one, 67-66 with 1:17 left. After two Converse misses on the next possession, Diallo converted his layup with an assist from Davis.
• Converse missed three shots and had a turnover in the final 2:27.

UP NEXT 

• Belmont Abbey returns home for a pair of games next week to close out the pre-Christmas schedule.
• The Crusaders host division rival Lees-McRae on Tuesday night before a Friday night encounter with non-conference foe Clinton.