BELMONT, N.C. — The Belmont Abbey women's basketball team started off the 2026 calendar year on a strong note as the Crusaders earned a 79-44 victory over North Greenville Saturday afternoon at the Wheeler Center.

The Crusaders were led by Janiah Shular, who finished with a career-high 17 points to go with six rebounds and three steals. Kallie Lusk also finished in double figures scoring for the fifth time this season, adding 11.

With Saturday's result, Belmont Abbey improves to 10-2 overall and 5-0 in Conference Carolinas play. The Crusaders also improve to 4-0 in Northwest Division play.

North Greenville is now 6-5 overall and 3-3 in conference play and 1-2 in the division.  

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Belmont Abbey held North Greenville without a field goal for the first 15:05 of the contest.
• The Crusaders bookended the opening quarter with a 7-0 run to start followed by a 15-0 run to end the quarter.
• Shular finished with 14 points in the first half as the Crusaders led by 29 points at the break.
• Belmont Abbey shot a season-best 54.7 percent from the field in the contest.
• The Crusaders had a 41-point lead in the third quarter, its largest of the season.
• Nine different Crusaders tallied an assist on Saturday.
• Valeria Batista also had six rebounds for the Crusaders to go with her seven points.
• Claire Griffin added seven points off the bench for the Crusaders.
• Belmont Abbey had a 40-21 rebounding advantage and had 40 bench points.
• The Crusaders also scored 28 points off of 25 North Greenville turnovers.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey returns to its home floor with a contest against Shorter on Wednesday.
• Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Wheeler Center.