On Monday Carey defeated No. 20 Belhaven University, 98-88.

Carey, which never trailed in the contest, used a 21-4 run five minutes into the game to open a 25-8 advantage with 5:27 to play in the half. The Pilots trimmed the lead to 27-21 with 1:24 to play but a pair of Terry Wade free throws sent the Crusaders into the half up 29-21.

Corey Smith's dunk and Drew Meyerchick three point play helped the Crusaders open up a thirteen point advantage just thirty seconds into the second half. LSUS would fight back and trimmed the lead to six at 41-35 on a dunk by Pilot big man Derrick Parker with 13:31 to play. WCU answered with back to back three pointers from Wade and Meyerchick to push the lead back to twelve.

Yet another Pilot run which was capped off by Brance Davenport's three pointer cut the Crusader lead down to 57-52 with 7:07 left. Like before the long ball proved huge for the Crusaders as Meyerchick and Brandon Cooks nailed back to back three's to make it 63-52 Carey with 5:05 remaining. The final LSUS run narrowed the lead to 63-61 with 2:01 to play. Over the final two minutes the Crusaders kept the Pilots at arm's length. The lead went back and forth between two and four points over the next two trips and when Terry Wade converted 1 of 2 free throws the Crusaders held a 68-65 lead with 16 seconds to play.

On the Pilot's final possession the Carey defense was up to the challenge not once but twice as they forced LSUS into two difficult three point attempts that were both off the mark.

With the win Carey improves to 20-4 overall and 10-3 in GCAC play. LSUS drops to 22-3 overall and 11-2 in conference play.

Brandon Cooks led four Crusaders in double figures with 18 points. Drew Meyerchick added 16 points, Cory Smith chipped in with 13 points and Marcus Spann finished with 10 points.

Carey concludes their four game home stand on Saturday as they take on Xavier University (LA). Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm at Clinton Gym.