BELMONT— Freshman forward Essence Chism notched her first collegiate double-double for St. Andrews Presbyterian College but Belmont Abbey College rallied from a 21-18 halftime deficit en route to a 58-43 Conference Carolinas women’s basketball victory Thursday evening.

Chism had season-high totals of 13 points, 11 rebounds, and five steals but the Lady Knights (2-17 Overall, 1-15 Conf.) were unable to hold off a late surge by the Abbey in losing their third road game in four days.

Shayla Jackson scored a game-high 18 points on 9-of-11 accuracy as the Crusaders remain in second place in the conference standings, improving to 14-8 overall and 12-5 in the league with their third straight win.



SAPC held Belmont Abbey to just 28.6-percent shooting in the first half to take the three-point advantage at halftime but the Crusaders found their stroke in the second half, firing at 50.0-percent in the final 20 minutes to pull away for the 15-point victory.

St. Andrews led for the majority of the first half, as its lead grew to as high as eight points on two occasions, but the Crusaders closed the half on a 9-4 run to trim the deficit to three at the midway intermission.

Chism scored eight of her career-high 13 points in the first half.

The Abbey scored the first six points of the second half to claim its first lead of the contest since the opening minutes of the game. The advantage grew to as high as five points at 33-28 before six straight St. Andrews points -- capped by a made basket by sophomore Megan Lee -- gave the Royal Blue & White its last lead, 34-33, at the midway point of the second half.

Jackson answered with a layup 43 seconds later allowed the Crusaders to regain the lead for good. Her basket ignited an 11-0 Abbey jaunt that stretched the cushion to ten points at 44-34 with 5:25 left. After two Lady Knights’ free throws pulled St. Andrews to within eight points, the Abbey closed the game on a 14-7 run that provided the winning margin.

Lee netted 10 points for St. Andrews. Senior Kayla Hay filled up the box score for the Knights with 10 rebounds, eight points, five blocks, three assists, and one steal. Lee also handed out three dimes while senior Jaquese Smith chipped in with seven points and six boards.

SAPC shot 31.4-percent from the field, 50.0-percent behind the three-point arc, and 61.5-percent on free throws. The Knights held a slim 35-34 rebounding edge but committed six more turnovers, 23-17.



Paula Regalado just missed a double-double for the hosts with 13 points and nine rebounds.