BELMONT, N.C. — Three Belmont Abbey women's basketball players finished in double figures scoring but it was Francis Marion who earned a 61-54 win over the Crusaders Saturday afternoon at the Wheeler Center.
 
Riley James led the Abbey with a team-high 16 points to go with eight rebounds and three assists. Peyton Nation and Abigail Crain also had 14 and 13 points, respectively. Crain matched James' rebound total with eight and had three steals. Nation also recorded three steals in the contest.
 
Belmont Abbey is now 17-4 overall and 11-2 in Conference Carolinas play. Francis Marion is 14-5 overall and 9-2 in league play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After falling behind 5-2, Belmont Abbey used a 7-0 run to capture an early lead.
• Belmont Abbey led 16-13 with 3:30 left in the opening quarter but FMU answered with a 7-0 run to lead after the first 10 minutes.
• Both teams tried to regain their offensive rhythm in the second quarter with Nation's 3-pointer near the end of the first half closing the halftime deficit to 27-22.
• A 3-pointer from James and a layup from Crain helped Belmont Abbey get back within three points but an 8-0 run helped extend the Patriots' lead.
• James and Crain accounted for all 14 Belmont Abbey points in the third quarter.
• Belmont Abbey was able to get back within six points in the fourth quarter on two separate occasions but FMU was able to hang on for the win.
• The Crusaders forced 21 Francis Marion turnovers, including 13 steals.
• Belmont Abbey made 17 free throws, just one shy of its season high against Southern Wesleyan on November 30.

 
UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey opens up the second half of Northwest Division play against North Greenville at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Tigerville.
• The Crusaders defeated the Trailblazers 58-39 back on Dec. 7.