Belmont Abbey College

EMORY, Va. -- Leigha Dennison led three players in double figures and a fast start lifted Belmont Abbey to a 78-54 victory over Mars Hill Friday evening in the South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Challenge, hosted by Emory & Henry.

The Crusaders evened their record at 1-1 on the season, while the Lions also stand at 1-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Dennison tallied a team-high 14 points, while Janiah Schular and Ava Fulkerson each finished with 11 points.
• Dennison also shared the team lead in rebounds with six, while dishing out a team-best four assists. Shular equaled her on the boards with six.
• Sofia McNabb spearheaded a 31-20 advantage in bench points with nine.
• Belmont Abbey set the tone early, opening the game with a 23-2 first-quarter advantage. The Crusaders held Mars Hill to 7.1 percent shooting (1 of 14) in the opening 10 minutes, while hitting 8-of-14 themselves..
• The Crusaders continued their strong play early in the second quarter, opening their biggest lead at 34-6 6:41 before halftime.
• The Abbey forced 25 turnovers, but were out-rebounded 41-39.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey returns to action tomorrow at 6 p.m.
• The Crusaders face host Emory & Henry in the second game of the challenge.