First-year Head Coach Kim Lusk is in charge of a Belmont Abbey program that has been highly successful in recent seasons. The Crusaders have won at least 19 games in six consecutive seasons while making a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances during the stretch. In a season-opening 69-59 loss to Mars Hill, a trio of Crusaders cracked double-figure scoring led by Cate Schleber's 16 points. Abigail Crain (15) and Taylor Stelley (10) also reached double digits as Belmont Abbey connected on 42.9 percent of its field goal attempts. Rebounding proved to be costly for Lusk's team in the opener as the Lions out rebounded the Crusaders 38-to-28 en route to the win. Saturday's game will be Lusk's home debut after playing an exhibition at Elon and the season opener at Mars Hill.

UVA Wise is 3-0 for the first time since 2013 following Wednesday's 100-64 win over King. Sophomore guard Josie Hester netted a new career-high with 21 points while fellow guard Nia Vanzant led all players with 22 points. Point guard Caitlyn Ross tied a career-high with 14 assists in the game as the Cavaliers established a new NCAA Division II era program record by shooting 60.6 percent from the floor. Overall, Jamie Cluesmans' crew has used a team effort to crash the glass. Seven different players are averaging more than four rebounds per game, led by Sable Burnside's 8.3 per game. Defense has been steady for UVA Wise thus far. Teams are shooting just 32.4 percent against the Cavs and have been held to 28.3 percent from distance. Inside Kaitlin Bailey has been a steady defensive force, the sophomore has blocked nine shots to lead the South Atlantic Conference and ranks seventh in NCAA Division II. Saturday's game is the first of back-to-back road tilts for the team. UVA Wise visits Livingstone College Tuesday before returning home to face nationally-ranked University of Charleston next Saturday.