BRISTOL, Tenn. — The Belmont Abbey women's basketball team extended its winning streak thanks to its best offensive performance of the season as the Crusaders defeated King 90-59 Tuesday evening at the Student Events Center.

The 90 points is a season high and it is the first time hat the Crusaders have reached the 90-point threshold since scoring 98 against Southern Wesleyan back on February 24, 2022.

Kallie Lusk was one of five Crusaders to reach double figures scoring, finish with a game-high 20 points and four rebounds in her first career start. Leigha Dennison added 18 points for the Abbey to go with six rebounds and two steals while Madison Lusk added 11 points, all of which came after halftime.

Off the bench, Sofia McNabb chipped in 11 points while Ava Fulkerson had 10 points to round out the top scorers. Additionally, Riley James added seven points to go with eight assists and six steals, both season highs.

With the win, Belmont Abbey extends its win streak to five games and improves to 15-4 overall and 10-2 in Conference Carolinas play. King is now 7-10 overall and 4-6 in the league. In Northwest Division play, Belmont Abbey is now 5-0 in the division while King is now 3-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Kallie Lusk got the Crusaders going by scoring the first five points of the game.
• After the first media timeout, Belmont Abbey closed the quarter on a 15-6 run.
• Belmont Abbey led by as many as 20 points in the first half before the Tornado got within 12 late in the half.
• A pair of baskets from James late helped the Crusaders push the lead back to 16 at the half.
• Kallie Lusk started the second half just as strong as she did the first half by accounting for the first six Crusader points.
• The Abbey had a run of five straight made baskets in the third quarter led by consecutive baskets from Madison Lusk.
• King got within 15 late in the third quarter but Fulkerson's 3-pointer in the closing seconds gave the Crusaders a boost as well as an 18-point lead.
• The Crusaders made four straight threes starting from the end of the third quarter to the start of the fourth quarter.
• The 90 points is also the most that the Crusaders have scored during Kim Lusk's tenure as head coach.
• Belmont Abbey made a season-high nine 3-pointers and nearly doubled up the Tornado in rebounds, 43-22.
• The 16 steals matched a season best while Belmont Abbey committed just 12 turnovers.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey will return home for its first home game in two weeks with a contest against Erskine on Saturday.
• Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Wheeler Center.