BELMONT, NC – The Emmanuel Women's Basketball team traveled to Belmont, NC tonight for the regular season finale against the Belmont Abbey Crusaders. The Crusaders jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter. The Lions settled in during the 2nd quarter, trailing the Crusaders by 10 at the break, 35-25. Although the Lions battled, the Crusaders controlled the pace of the game the rest of the way, earning a 60-50 victory. With the loss, the Lions fall to 12-15 on the season, 11-9 in conference action.
The Crusaders jumped out to a 9-4 lead early in the 1st. The Lions responded with buckets by
Maddie Futch,
Addie Penick and
Naomi Roberts to cut the lead to 13-11 with 1:35 to play in the 1st. In the quarter, the Lions were 4-13 from the field and connected on 2-2 from the foul line. After the first, the Crusaders led 18-11.
In the second quarter, the Crusaders pushed their lead back up to double digits, but a jumper by
Abby Crawford cut their lead to nine, 25-16. The Crusaders responded well to lead by as much as 12 in the quarter, but a jumper by Roberts put the Lions back within 10 at the break, 35-25. In the quarter, the Lions were 5-9 from the field (56%) and a perfect 3-3 from the foul line.
The two teams traded points to start the third quarter. The Lions cut the Crusader lead to nine on a layup by Crawford early but Belmont Abbey would push their advantage back up to 13. With 50 seconds remaining in the quarter, a made three-pointer by Roberts cut the Crusader advantage to 8 and then two made free throws by Roberts put the Lions within six points of the lead, 46-40. The Lions shot 67% from the field and remained perfect from the foul line (2-2),
In the fourth quarter, the Lions were just 2-10 from the field but 6-6 from the foul line. Although the Lions held Belmont Abbey to 38% shooting in the quarter, the Crusaders extended their lead to as much as 16 points early and held on the win by 10, 60-50.
Naomi Roberts led the Lions with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals.
Addie Penick led the Lions with 5 assists, with Penick and
Maddie Futch each adding a block.
The Lions will now wait to hear where they will be heading for the first round of the Conference Carolinas Tournament which begins next week.
For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.
