Belmont, N.C. .-- Despite Madeline Hardy's career-high 24 points and her third straight double-double, the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears fell to Belmont-Abbey 88-73 Friday night in Belmont. 

Inside the Matchup:
Final: Lenoir Rhyne  73 , Belmont Abbey 88
Records: Lenoir Rhyne (2-3), Belmont Abbey (3-1)
Location: Wheeler Center I Belmont, N.C.

Stats of the Game:

• On a night where Belmont Abbey shot 56.3% from the field, they had six different players score in double figures. 
• Belmont Abbey's Maria Kuhlman had 16 points to lead them including two big three points in the third quarter to help put the Crusaders ahead.
• Madeline Hardy finished with 24 points on 9-20 shooting and added 11 rebounds for the Bears.
• Sophomore Kiara Moore played a career high 20 minutes pitching in a career-high 9 points for the Bears. 
• Moore and Kennedy Weigt had 19 of the Bears 23 bench points. Wiegt finished with 10 points including 2-4 from downtown. 
• Crusaders out rebound the Bears 40-30 and also assisted on 23 of their 36 baskets while the Bears only had 10 assists on their 28 baskets. 

Beyond the Box Score:

• Even through the schools are only separated by 45 miles; this is the first matchup between teams since 2015.
• Before tonight, Belmont Abbey won the last two matchup by an identical 66-63 score and leads the all-time series 20-15. 
• The game was originally schedule for tomorrow night but was moved to tonight to accommodate Belmont Abbey hosting their volleyball conference tournament  tomorrow evening.
• After 5 games on the season, Madeline Hardy is averaging a double-double with 19.0 points and 10.4 rebounds a game. 

Up Next:  Bears will open up SAC play with a date with Tusculum on Tuesday night in Greeneville, TN.