BELMONT, N.C. – The regionally ranked Belmont Abbey Crusaders flexed their muscles in the paint as the Chowan Women's Basketball team fell 83-57 in Conference Carolinas action on Tuesday evening on the road.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 57, Belmont Abbey 83

RECORDS | Chowan 1-6 (1-2), Belmont Abbey 6-1 (2-0)

LOCATION | Belmont, N.C. (Wheeler Center)

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Olivia Gaither led the Hawks in scoring with 13 points.  Demetria Bland and Aniah Patterson chipped in with 12 points each.

Mariah Coker, who needed 17 assists to tie the Chowan Division II record, posted six assists.

The Hawks were a combined 4-23 in the second and third quarters.

Belmont Abbey outscored the Hawks 30-14 in the paint and 45-31 on the glass.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter:

Olivia Gaither connected from deep to put the Hawks on the board to start the contest.  Belmont Abbey answered with an 11-2 run and force a Chowan timeout.  Demetria Bland added a jumper during the run.

Out of the timeout, Emaree Hinton converted a layup as the Crusaders pushed their lead to 16-8.  Olivia Gaither knocked down another triple.  Brelynn Young added a jumper, but Belmont Abbey countered with a three pointer.

Belmont Abbey pushed their advantage to 27-13 before Brianna Copeland connected from deep to end the quarter, 27-16.

Second Quarter:

The Crusaders started the quarter with a 5-0 run.  Monique Jones put the first points on the board in the quarter with a pair from the stripe.  Olivia Gaither connected from deep before the Crusaders pushed their lead to 38-21.

Demetria Bland hit a jumper prior to both teams going cold from the floor.  The final three minutes of the half saw BAC finish with a 7-2 run.  The Hawks picked up points from the stripe, 45-26.

Third Quarter:

Teylahna Green hit a three pointer to start the half, the Crusaders answered with a 12-0 run to push the advantage to 57-29.  Olivia Gaither added two freebies before Aniah Patterson ended the run with an old-fashioned three point play.

Belmont Abbey would lead 61-35 heading to the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter:

After a three pointer by the Crusaders, Aniah Patterson hit a jumper and added two freebies.

Belmont Abbey continued to push their lead to 30-plus throughout most of the quarter.  Aniah Patterson and Mariah Coker posted buckets to keep the score around the number.

Aniah Patterson put herself in double-figures with a three pointer midway through the quarter, 75-47.

Down the stretch, Kaylah Henderson converted the and-one and Demetria Bland knocked down a triple.

UP NEXT

Chowan has the next 11 days off for exams before the Hawks hit the hardwood again taking on Erskine in Conference Carolinas action on Saturday, December 14.  Tip-off is slated from 2pm.