BANNER ELK, N.C. – The Lees-McRae College men's basketball team got back into the win column Saturday afternoon with a 92-87 win over Belmont Abbey College at Williams Gymnasium. The victory improves Lees-McRae's record to 15-6 overall and 8-5 in league play.
The Bobcats started Saturday's contest slowly. Belmont Abbey led by as many as 10 points with 11:57 to go in the first half. Lees-McRae, however, would chip away at the lead thanks to pressure defense and some sharp-shooting from three-point range. Eventually, the Bobcats would take back the lead in the closing minutes, but the Crusaders hit a layup at the buzzer to go into the halftime break down by just two points, 49-47.
Lees-McRae looked like it may run away from Belmont Abbey in the second half on a couple different occasions as it built leads of eight and nine points on a couple different instances. However, the Crusaders attacked the basket and earned 19 trips to the line to not only cash in on free throws but also stop the clock. Belmont Abbey converted on 17-of-19 on free throws in the second half. Eventually, the Crusaders got the deficit all the way down to three points with 30 seconds to go. Lees-McRae kept at it though converting seven of eight free throws to finish off the 92-87 win.
Individually, the Bobcats were led by 24 points from Jason Saintizaire. Quay Kimble added 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Kamil Williams chipped in 12 points with eight rebounds and Sidney Dollar added 10 points of his own.
Lees-McRae will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to North Greenville University for another key Conference Carolinas matchup. Tip-off for that contest is set for 7:30 p.m.
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