Franklin Springs, GA – The Emmanuel Women's Basketball team hosted Belmont Abbey College today in Conference Carolinas action. It was senior day for two Lions, with Sydney Wyatt and Tyasia Freeman being recognized. Offensively, both teams got off to a slow start in the first quarter, but the Crusaders would find their groove, behind 29 points by Riley James, and Belmont Abbey defeated the Lions 66-48. With the loss, the Lions fall to 16-9 on the season, 12-5 in conference. 
 
The first quarter was a defensive battle, with neither team shooting over 30% from the field. The Lions were 6-20 from the field and 1-5 from beyond the arc, leading the Crusaders in rebounds 11-9. After the first, the Crusaders led 14-9.
 
In the second quarter, the Lions closed in on the lead early, trailing by just two after a free throw make by Sydney Wyatt, 14-12. But Belmont Abbey's offense would begin clicking. The Crusaders shot 50% from three-point range and extended their lead to as much as 16 points midway through the quarter. At the half, the Lions trialed 34-21. 
 
The Lions started the third quarter on a 6-0 run, to make it 34-27, but the Crusaders had an answer. In the quarter, the Lions shot 30.8% from the field, and 2-9 from beyond the arc. The Crusaders extended their lead to 16 after the third, 49-33.
 
In the fourth, the Lions went 5-17 from the field, but were perfect from the foul line 
(3-3). The Crusaders offense continued to click, and Belmont Abbey took the game 66-48. 
 
Emmanuel's seniors ended the night in double figures with Tyasia Freeeman leading the way with a double-double, 11 points and 12 rebounds. Sydney Wyatt contributed 10 points and 6 rebounds on the day. 
 
Next up, the Lions will close out their season at Southern Wesleyan on Wednesday at 5PM.