Box Score The North Greenville Crusaders started conference play with a 68-54 defeat to the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina. NGU led at the end of the 1st quarter but were outscored in the remaining three and struggled to stop a solid offensive game by a Belmont Abbey team that shot 59.1% from the field. North Greenville recorded sixteen offensive rebounds but otherwise struggled offensively, posting a 29.1 field goal percentage.

Results

• Score: NGU 68 / BAC 54
• Location: Wheeler Center / Belmont, NC
• Records: NGU 0-4, 0-1 CC / BAC 2-1, 1-0 CC

Recap

• A slow start to the game would result in a scoreless opening minute and a half. Zahria Jenkins would score the opening points by way of a layup to put NGU on the board. Morgan Vulpis scored North Greenville's next six points with two three pointers. Tied at 8-8, Sarah Cline would continue the three pointers with one to put NGU up by three. After BAC tied the game back up at 11-11, the two teams would go scoreless until just eighteen seconds remained in the quarter when Tolisha Walker put up a layup to end the quarter. with a two point lead.
• North Greenville started off the second quarter ice cold, allowing Belmont Abbey to pull away with a twelve point run to take a 23-13 lead. Over five minutes into the quarter, Abi Oates would finally end the drought with two made free throws. Tolisha Walker scored NGU's next five points to pull back within five. After BAC pulled back ahead by nine, Tabitha Littlefield ended the half with a three pointer to cut the deficit to six points at halftime.
• In a high-scoring third quarter, North Greenville would get the momentum going, pulling within one point just past the five minute mark. However, Belmont Abbey would eventually build a lead back up with the help of a 12-3 run, and would lead by eleven at the end of the quarter.
• NGU put up a fight early on in the fourth quarter, with Tabitha Littlefield scoring the opening points by way of a jumper and Zahria Jenkins coming through with three free throws to pull back within six. After two points by each team, North Greenville would go cold at an essential time, which would allow BAC to put the game away with an 11-0 run to go back up by seventeen. NGU closed out the game with the final three points, but time would run out with Belmont Abbey taking a fourteen point win.

Individual

• Tabitha Littlefield led NGU in points with twelves. She also provided three rebounds and a block.
• Tolisha Walker posted nine points, seven rebounds, and an assist.
• Zahria Jenkins also scored nine points while also recording two rebounds, two steals, a block, and an assist.

Upcoming

• NGU will return to action on Tuesday, November 23rd against the Tornado of King University in Tigerville.