BELMONT, N.C. – Top-seeded Belmont Abbey held the visiting Lees-McRae women's basketball team to 30 percent shooting from the floor and posted a 48-27 edge in rebounding en route to an 82-47 victory in tonight's Conference Carolinas quarterfinal.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: No. 1 Belmont Abbey – 82; No. 8 Lees-McRae – 47
LOCATION: Wheeler Center – Belmont, North Carolina
RECORDS: Belmont Abbey (20-2), Lees-McRae (7-10)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Arriana Lizarraga finished with a team-high 15 points to go along with two rebounds.
- MaKayla Smith tallied eight points and three rebounds, while all-conference performer Destiny Johnson was held to six points and two assists.
- Belmont Abbey sprinted out of the gates by scoring 24 of the first 28 points, but a late jumper by Johnson trimmed the deficit to 34-17 at the first intermission.
- The Crusaders outscored Lees-McRae 19-8 in the second stanza to claim a 53-25 edge at halftime.
- Belmont Abbey held a lead over 30 points for the majority of the second half to clinch the playoff victory.
- The Bobcats held a slim 10-9 advantage in second chance points, but were outscored 19-4 in fast break points.
FOR THE FOES:
- Three Crusaders scored in double figures, led by Irelynn Davisson who scored 20 points on 6 of 6 shooting from distance.
- Allie Downing and Maria Kuhlman each finished with 10 points.
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats' season ends with a 7-10 overall record. Belmont Abbey will advance to the semifinals on Thursday, March 4 at 5 p.m. against No. 4 King (Tenn.).
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
