Tigerville, S.C.—The North Greenville women’s basketball team suffered its first home loss of the season on Thursday night falling to Belmont Abbey, who is also the Crusaders 66-61.

NGU fell behind early, but pulled ahead late in the first half to take a four point lead at the intermission. In the second half, the Crusaders held serve and led by as many as 9 points with 15:05 left in the game. Belmont Abbey erased the deficit after going on an 10-0 run to take a 45-44 lead. Abbey would go on to take the five-point win, to drop NGU to 8-2 in conference, and 13-5 overall.

Christina Carlis led the Crusaders with 14 points, while dishing out five assists. Krisceda Cotton was next in line with 9 points, while Alisha Hope scored 8. Courtney Friddle was the team leader with 9 rebounds, while scoring 6 points.

The Crusaders remain in control of second place in the Conference Carolinas western division behind 10-0 Limestone College. The Crusaders will be back in action on Saturday against Mount Olive of the Eastern Division. The Trojans are the first place team in the east and will tipoff with the Crusaders a 2pm.