BELMONT, N.C. (Interstat) — On Tuesday, Belmont Abbey defeated visiting Wingate 82-80 in a men’s NCAA Division II basketball game at Wheeler Center. The Crusaders improved to 1-0, while the Bulldogs fell to 0-1. The result gave Belmont Abbey the home victory and Wingate a season-opening road loss. Belmont Abbey next travels to Newberry, while Wingate next visits Mount Olive. The Crusaders also have upcoming games against Carolina Christian, Clinton, Converse, Francis Marion and Emmanuel. Wingate’s upcoming schedule includes games at Barton, Chowan, Tusculum, Lincoln Memorial, Lenoir-Rhyne and Carson-Newman. Belmont Abbey also is scheduled to face Anderson and Barton later in the season. Wingate also will face Virginia-Wise at home. Both teams continue their schedules with upcoming games. Belmont Abbey’s win gave the Crusaders a 1-0 start, and Wingate dropped to 0-1. The game was the season opener for both programs.