YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — The Belmont Abbey women's basketball team put together one of its strongest defensive performances in recent history as the Crusaders defeated Young Harris 44-28 Saturday afternoon in Conference Carolinas play at the Harp Recreation and Commencement Center.
Based on records available, the 28 points allowed is the fewest allowed by Belmont Abbey since a 71-28 win over Coker back on January 13, 2007. Additionally, the 28 points is the fewest allowed by the Crusaders dating back to the 1993-94 season.
Saturday's contest featured a scoreless third quarter as the Crusaders held the Mountain Lions scoreless for just under 13 minutes of game play from the final minute of the first half to the 7:44 mark of the fourth quarter.
Riley James led the Abbey with a game-high 11 points to go with six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Leigha Dennison had eight points while
Madison Lusk had seven off the bench.
Belmont Abbey improves to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in Conference Carolinas play. Young Harris is 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the league.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Crusaders jumped out to an early lead to open the contest thanks to a 3-pointer from Riley James and a made basket from Lillian Bates.
- A 10-2 run helped Belmont Abbey take a 15-10 lead in the first quarter.
- Belmont Abbey held Young Harris without a field goal in the first eight and a half minutes of the second quarter. The Crusaders outscored Young Harris 10-1 in that stretch.
- The Mountain Lions made a pair of threes to get back within eight to close the half.
- The third quarter was a defensive battle as the Crusaders built their halftime lead with two baskets from Leigha Dennison.
- The Abbey held Young Harris to 0-12 from the field and seven turnovers in the quarter.
- Lusk and Sofia McNabb accounted for the first five points of the fourth quarter for the Crusaders.
- After Young Harris got back within eight points twice, a made jumper from Lusk and a 4-point play from Bella Martin helped seal the game.
- The Crusaders outrebounded the Mountain Lions 31-27 with 27 defensive rebounds.
- Six Crusaders recorded a steal.
- Belmont Abbey did not trail in the contest.
UP NEXT
- Belmont Abbey takes the week off for finals and resumes Conference Carolinas play at Converse next Saturday.
- The contest is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start in Spartanburg.