BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Freshman Jordan Patton tallied a career-high 22 points and Khamani Wertz added 12 points on four three-pointers, but King held off Belmont Abbey for a 70-61 victory in Conference Carolinas men's basketball action Tuesday night.

With the result, the Crusaders fall to 1-17 overall and 0-15 in league play (0-6 in Northwest Division play), while the Tornado improve to 14-10, 11-4, 7-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Patton reached double figures for the eighth time this season, hitting nine of 18 from the field. He made one three-pointer and converted all three of his free throws.
• Wertz was four of 10 from beyond the arc for his scoring effort. He was also the assist leader with three.
• Dionte Alexander led the team in rebounds with six -- all defensive -- while Alhousseny Diallo added five boards.
• Jaden Peters tallied three steals, matching his season-best on two other occasions.
• King scored the final five points of the first half after the score was tied at 35 with 1:54 to play in the period. The Tornado never trailed in the second half, although Belmont Abbey closed to within a field goal three times.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey wraps up a three-game stretch away from home on Saturday.
• The Crusaders travel to Rome, Ga., to face league newcomer Shorter at 4 p.m.