Elite! Belmont Abbey Advances to Elite Eight With Regional Final Win Over Barton
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Belmont Abbey became just the second Conference Carolinas women’s basketball program to advance to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
In an all-Conference Carolinas final, top-seeded Belmont Abbey used a strong third quarter to propel them to a 62-52 victory over second-seeded Barton (
Box Score).
Barton led 26-25 at the halftime break, but Belmont Abbey outscored Barton, 25-10, in the third quarter. Barton outscored Belmont Abbey, 16-12, in the fourth and final quarter, but the third quarter gave the Crusaders all they needed in the eventual 10-point win.
It was a balanced effort from Belmont Abbey with Allie Downing leading the team with 12 points. Belmont Abbey shot an impressive 77 percent (10-of-13) from the field in the third quarter en route to an overall shooting percentage of 45.8 percent (22-of-48).
Barton was led by Akira Wiggins’ 22 points.The Bulldogs shot 29.2 percent (19-of-65) from the field in the game.
To see full press conferences and to learn more about the 2021 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Southeast Regional that featured two finalists from Conference Carolinas, please visit
HERE.
The 2021 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Elite Eight will be held March 23-26 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. More information will be made available in the near future. To see the full NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship bracket, please visit
HERE.
NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Southeast Regional
All-Tournament Team
Akira Wiggins, Barton
Shanika Peterkin, Barton
Allie Downing, Belmont Abbey
Brittany Autry, Belmont Abbey
Most Outstanding Player: Maria Kuhlman, Belmont Abbey