Belmont, NC – Southern Wesleyan dropped their final regular season game to the Belmont Abbey Crusaders in a 110-91 final score on Thursday evening.
 
The Warriors shot 43.5% from the field and were 39.3% from beyond the arc in their final regular season game of the year.  Demarcus Addie led the team with 22 points.  Arusha Hunter was right behind Addie with 20 points.  Three other Warriors posted double digits in the game as Ta'Jay Dunlap recorded 17 points, Julian Cameron had 14 and Tranard Ferrell had 10.  Southern Wesleyan combined for 12 assists with Addie leading the team with four.
 
Southern Wesleyan had 29 rebounds in the game.  Demarcus Addie led the team with seven, while both Tranard Ferrell and Arusha Hunter followed with five.  Both Addie and Quinian Rieves had blocks.  The Warriors stole the ball away from the Crusaders seven times with Addie recording four of the steals.
 
 
 
Game Vitals
 
Final: Belmont Abbey 110, Southern Wesleyan 91
 
Records: Southern Wesleyan (18-9 / CC 16-7) Belmont Abbey (18-9 / CC 17-7)
 
 
 
How It Happened
 
Southern Wesleyan took the first points of the game as Tranard Ferrell put up a jump shot, but Belmont Abbey countered with a three pointer by LJ McCoy to give them a one point advantage.  The Warriors and Crusaders challenged back and forth before a three point shot by Quest Aldridge allowed Belmont Abbey to take an 8-6 point lead.  The Warriors continued to challenge with a step back three point shot by Demarcus Addie to tie the game up at ten points apiece.  The Crusaders were not discouraged as a second three by Aldridge put them ahead by six points.  Southern Wesleyan was not done fighting as a three point shot by Arusha Hunter allowed the Warriors to come to 18-13 behind Belmont Abbey with just over fifteen minutes left in the half.  Demarcus Addie put up a jump shot to put the Warriors within six points of the Crusaders.  Quinian Rieves laid the ball up with just under twelve to play to keep the Warriors within nine points, but the Crusaders would not relent as McCoy and Aldridge each made baskets.  Ta'Jay Dunlap collected the ball and stepped beyond the arc to sink a three pointer to keep the Warriors within seven.  Southern Wesleyan continued to attack the net, but Belmont Abbey countered their every shot to keep the Warriors from cutting into their lead.  With under five minutes left in the half, Julian Cameron sunk a jump shot to make the score 43-51.  Despite a late jump shot by Tranard Ferrell, the Warriors trailed the Crusaders 59-52 at the half.
 
Belmont Abbey kicked off the second half with a layup by Emanuel Hernandez, but Southern Wesleyan countered seconds later with a three point shot out of the hands of Julian Cameron to keep the Warriors within six points.  Sean Halloran sunk a three point shot from beyond the arc to extend the Crusaders' lead to eleven points.  Southern Wesleyan fought on as Demarcus Addie passed the ball over to Arusha Hunter who laid it up into the basket to allow the Warriors to return to within ten of the Crusaders.  Addie continued to attack the net, putting up back-to-back lay-ups to put the Warriors behind the Crusaders 78-67.  Ta'Jay Dunlap laid the ball up and was fouled on the basket to earn the extra shot to keep the Warriors within seven.  Belmont Abbey continued to push ahead, but a three point shot by Arusha Hunter and free throws by Julian Cameron kept Southern Wesleyan within striking distance.  The Crusaders would not relent as they claimed a 110-91 point victory.
 
 
 
What's Next
 
Southern Wesleyan will next compete in the Conference Carolinas Championship Tournament on March 4 in Spartanburg, SC.