Belmont, N.C. - Southern Wesleyan defeated the Belmont Abbey Crusaders in a 84-72 final on the road on Saturday evening.

The Warriors shot 50.0% from the field in the big win on Saturday. Clenzo Ross led the team with 25 points and he was followed by Ta'Jay Dunlap with 19, Cameron Holmes with 18, and TJ Harvin with 10. The team dished out 10 assists with four coming from Ross. Holmes led the team with three steals. Southern Wesleyan had 27 rebounds on the night as Ross grabbed eight and Hunter Davis followed with with five. Tranard Ferrell had three blocks and Davis added one. 

Game Vitals

Final: Southern Wesleyan 84, Belmont Abbey 72

Records: Southern Wesleyan (9-7 / CC 5-3) Belmont Abbey (11-5 / CC 7-2)

Coach Pasqua Says...

"Proud of our effort tonight. We had guys step up when their number was called. Total team win."

How It Happened

The Warriors would make the first shot of the contest with a layup from Cameron Holmes. Belmont Abbey quickly responded, but TJ Harvin would put the Warriors back on top with a 3-pointer to move the Warriors ahead 7-6. Ta'Jay Dunlap and Clenzo Ross would extend that lead to 12-8 as the Crusaders fought to catch up. The Abbey would take the lead on a 3-point shot from Dequan Abrom at 12-14. The Crusaders would push their lead and eventually take the biggest lead of the game at 17-27. The Warriors slowly began to chip away with shots from Harvin, Ross, and Holmes. The clock would run out before the Warriors could regain the lead as Belmont Abbey held a 37-32 lead at the half. 

A pair of free throws would give the Crusaders the first two points of the second half. Holmes and Hunter Davis would answer first for the Warriors as they would be followed by Ross and Dunlap who would put the score at 40-45, Belmont Abbey still leading. Free throws from Tranard Ferrell would put the Warriors behind only two, at 53-55. Dunlap would then go on to make an impressive one-handed shot to give the Warriors the 60-59 lead. Edwon Brady and Davis would extend the lead as Southern Wesleyan began playing with confidence. The Crusaders would pressure at times, but the Warriors were able to go on and win the game 84-72.

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will travel to Due West, S.C. to take on the Erskine Flying Fleet on January 15 at 7:30 p.m. They will then return home to host the Barton College Bulldogs on January 18 at 4 p.m.