BELMONT, N.C. — Peyton Nation had a career-best scoring night for the second straight game and two others finished in double figures as Belmont Abbey closed out the home schedule with a 60-50 win over Emmanuel Monday evening at the Wheeler Center.
The contest was a makeup from a previously scheduled game on January 11.
Nation had 26 points in the contest, including 17 in the first half, to go with seven rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. Additionally, she was named the Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Week Monday by the league office.
Leigha Dennison added 12 points and seven rebounds while
Riley James had 11 with a team-best four assists.
Belmont Abbey improves to 22-5 overall and 16-3 in Conference Carolinas play after winning its third straight game. Monday's game was the regular season finale for Emmanuel, who finishes at 12-15 overall and 11-9 in league play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Nation got off to a strong start by scoring nine of the first 12 Belmont Abbey points.
- The Crusaders traded 3-pointers with the Lions as Ivana Bijic and Nation had outside shots to take an 11-point lead in the second quarter.
- Belmont Abbey led the Lions by 10 at the half.
- The Crusaders jumped out to a 13-point lead in the third quarter but the Lions rallied to get within six to start the final quarter.
- Belmont Abbey's defense stepped up in the fourth quarter holding Emmanuel without a field goal for nearly eight minutes.
- The Crusaders outscored the Lions 12-2 during that run to help seal the game.
- Belmont Abbey finished with double digit steals for the 12th time this season. The Crusaders finished with 11, led by four from Ivana Bijic.
- Four different Crusaders recorded and blocked while the team forced 23 Emmanuel turnovers.
UP NEXT
- Belmont Abbey travels up the mountains to face Lees-McRae at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the regular season finale for both teams.
- The Crusaders defeated the Bobcats 58-44 earlier this season in Belmont.
- Following Wednesday's games, the full Conference Carolinas Tournament brackets will be released as the Crusaders will await their opponent.