PEMBROKE, N.C. -- Gabe Cerda and Franklin Davis both topped double figures, but a slow start helped UNC Pembroke to a 70-51 victory over Belmont Abbey in Conference Carolinas men's basketball action Saturday afternoon.

With the result, the Crusaders fall to 5-8 overall and 3-4 in league play, while the Braves improve to 8-6, 5-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Cerda connected on six of eight field-goal attempts en route to a team-high 15 points.
• Davis tallied 11 of his 13 points in the opening half, connecting on three of seven, all from beyond the arc.
• Daniel Lubamba grabbed nine rebounds, all on the defensive end, while Elijah Burnett dished out four assists.
• The Crusaders hit just 21.7 percent from the field (5 of 23) before intermission, falling behind 36-19
• Conversely, UNCP connected on 53.8 percent (14 of 26), using a 10-0 run to push a 21-16 lead to 31-16.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey returns home for a pair of games at the Wheeler Center next week.
• The Crusaders host league newcomer Ferrum on Tuesday and Chowan on Saturday.