ANDERSON, S.C. – Paced by sophomore Kyla Cain's double-double, Anderson women's basketball (2-2) defeated nonconference opponent Belmont Abbey (2-2), 54-52, on Saturday afternoon at the Abney Athletic Center.

"I'm really happy to grab the win today," said head coach Jonathon Barbaree. "Offensively we just couldn't get it going, but we kept our heads up and hit the timely free throws that we missed the day before."

Cain scored a career-high 14 points, grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds and was credited with a  career-high five blocked shots. Senior Mame Thiaw gave the Trojans a huge boost off the bench scoring a career-high nine points and pulling down eight rebounds. Thiaw logged 19 minutes of action which was also a career-high in minutes played.
 
"Extremely happy for Mame, last year she was really coming off a knee injury but this year she's starting to get confidence back", boasted Barbaree.  "She gave us a big lift today."

Just one day removed from shooting a dismal 46.2% from the free-throw line, the Trojans stepped up and made an impressive 15-of-18 (83.3%) from the charity stripe. AU went 4-for-4 from the line to help secure the win down the stretch.

Neither team led by more than six points with the game featuring 13 lead changes and nine ties. The Crusaders narrowly out rebounded the Black and Gold, 41-40.

Belmont Abbey's Peyton Nation led all-scorer's with 17 points. Nation also grabbed eight rebounds. Guard Abigail Crain reached double-digit scoring dropping in 14 points. Crain grabbed six rebounds while being credited with five steals.

The Trojans return to action on Wednesday to open South Atlantic Conference play against Catawba. Tip-off inside the friendly confines of the Abney Athletic Center is slated for 5:30 pm.