HICKORY, N.C.--The Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Basketball team fell to Belmont Abbey 77-49 in an non-conference matchup on Saturday afternoon. Blaikley Crooks led the Bears with 17 points while Emily Harman added 12.The Bears will return to SAC play on Wednesday afternoon when Coker comes to Hickory. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 49, Belmont Abbey 77
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (4-6),  Belmont Abbey (8-2)
Location: Hickory, NC | Shuford Arena

STORY OF THE GAME:

• Blaikley Crooks scored the Bears first eleven points of the game and totaled 15 at the break. 
• The Crusaders scored 21 points in the first two quarters of the game and led by 15 at the half. 
• Lenoir-Rhyne shot 50% from the floor in the first half but only got 20 total shots up while the Crusaders got 33 shots up thanks to nine offensive boards. 
• Belmont Abbey won the third quarter as the Crusaders stretched their lead to 61-35 heading into the final frame. 
• LR could not cut the lead at all in the fourth quarter as Belmont Abbey took the 77-49 victory. 

STATS OF THE MATCH:

• Peyton Nation had 21 points for Belmont Abbey, adding eleven rebounds and five steals on the afternoon. 
• Belmont Abbey out rebounded the Bears 31-15 on the afternoon. 
• Both teams shoot over 50% from the floor as LR went 18-35 (51.4%) from the floor while the Crusaders went 30-56 (53.6%).
• Harman and Crooks each had three steals for the Bears. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• Harman is now two points away from the 6th player in program history to score 1600 points. Harman sits after 1598 today's contest. 
• This is the first time these teams have played in Hickory in ten years.  
• LR has now lost four straight games against Belmont Abbey. 
• Bears will step out of conference play one more time next Saturday against King. LR is 1-2 outside of the SAC. 

UP NEXT: Bears will host Coker on Wednesday afternoon. The Cobras are 7-1 to open the season including a 5-1 start in the SAC. Tip-off is schedule for 12:00 PM from Shuford Arena.