BELMONT, N.C. -- Anderson University cut a 19-point halftime deficit to one point with 17 seconds remaining before falling to Belmont Abbey 73-69 in a Conference Carolinas game Tuesday night. Belmont Abbey, 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the conference, shot 55 percent from two-point range and made four 3-point goals in the first half to build a 47-28 halftime lead. But Anderson, 1-3 and 0-1, opened the second half with a 16-4 run to cut the Abbey lead to 51-44 with 13:57 to play. The Anderson rally continued in the next 11 minutes. Two free throws by Stephen Cobb pulled the Trojans within two -- 66-64 -- with 2:39 remaining. A 3-point basket by Nick Trull sliced the Abbey lead to 70-69 with 17 seconds left. But the Crusaders were able to convert four free throws to hang on for the victory. Belmont Abbey was led by Jonathan Jackson with 19 points and Kyle Phillips with 15 points. Richard Barbee chipped in 13 and Deonte Murphy added 12 for the Crusaders. Anderson's Brandon Young led all scorers with 22 points. He was followed by Jamelle Lowery with 13 points. Cobb scored 12 points for AU and Trey Britton recorded a double-double -- 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. The biggest difference came at the free throw line. Belmont Abbey was 20-for-27, while Anderson was 12-for-20. Anderson University Men's Basketball Statistics