BELMONT, N.C. -- Daniel Lubamba scored 21 of his career-high 23 points in the second half and grabbed 10 rebounds for his second straight double-double, leading Belmont Abbey to an 83-73 come-from-behind victory over Clinton in non-conference men's basketball action Friday night. 

The Crusaders overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to when their third straight game and close out the pre-Christmas schedule at 5-4. The Golden Bears of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) fall to 9-5.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Lubamba, who did not have a field goal before intermission, caught fire in the second half, hitting seven-of-eight from the field in field goals, including five-of-six from from three point range. He also made both free throws. His previous career-high was 20 against Carolina Christian last season.
• The double-double was his second straight and sixth of his career.
• Myles Smith added 13 points, while Alhousseny Diallo and Frankin Davis chipped in 12 points each.
• Elijah Burnett was the assist leader with seven, while he also tallied eight points.
• The 53 second-half points by The Abbey were a season-high.
• Clinton forced 12 Belmont Abbey turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, building a 39-30 lead at the break. However, the Crusaders had just six more over the final 20 minutes.  
• The Crusaders shot 60.7 percent from the field in the second half -- its best 20 minutes of the season -- and finished with a season-high 52.9 percent effort overall.
• The Abbey broke a 65-65 tie with a 9-2 run, leading to a 74-67 margin with three minutes to play.

UP NEXT

• Following its Division II-mandated seven-day holiday break, the Crusaders return to action on December 31st.
• They travel to CIAA member Winston Salem State for a 1 p.m. New Year's Eve matinee.