TIGERVILLE, S.C. — Riley James scored a season-high 21 points as the Belmont Abbey women's basketball team pulled away for a 70-60 victory over North Greenville Tuesday at Hayes Gymnasium.
 
The win officially clinched the outright Northwest Division title and a top-four seed in the Conference Carolinas tournament.
 
Along with James, Leigha Dennison added 15 points and three steals while Sofia McNabb 12 points and five rebounds off the bench.
 
With the win, Belmont Abbey improves to 17-5 overall, 12-2 in Conference Carolinas and a perfect 7-0 in the division.
 
North Greenville falls to 8-15 overall, 3-11 in Conference Carolinas play and 1-6 in the division.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Belmont Abbey found itself trailing 12-5 early in the first quarter before an 8-0 run briefly gave the Crusaders the lead.
• McNabb scored the first two baskets of the second quarter as both teams exchanged the lead.
• The Trailblazers led by seven late in the first half but baskets by Brielle George and Ava Fulkerson got the Abbey back within two at halftime.
• James scored the opening basket of the second half for the Crusaders as part of her 15 points in the final 20 minutes.
• She also led the Abbey by going 11-of-14 from the free throw line.
• A 14-3 run by the Crusaders in the third quarter helped Belmont Abbey capture the lead for good and helped them to a six-point lead entering the fourth quarter.
• A 7-2 run in the fourth quarter helped give Belmont Abbey an 11-point lead.
• The Crusaders' largest lead of the game was 13 points.
• Madison Lusk led the team with four assists.
• Dennison and McNabb led the team with five rebounds each.

 
UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey begins its final three-game home stand with a contest against Barton on Saturday.
• Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Wheeler Center.
• Emily Driver and James will be honored in a pregame ceremony on Senior Day.