CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Reggie Hopkins (Gastonia, N.C., Ashbrook)led the Royals with 25 points tonight in the non-conference 79-62 loss to Lenoir-Rhyne University.
The Royals (0-2) held a four point lead two minutes into the contest, but the Bears (3-0) took the lead with a three-point basket from Elliott McDowell in the 17th minute.
Queens found themselves down 21 at the half. The Royals struggled with making baskets from the floor, shooting 28%. The Bears were 48.4% overall and 54.5% from beyond the arc.
Again, the Bears slowly built a lead on the Royals, as many as 27 with 6:48 left to play. The Royals stepped on defense, forced eight turnovers in the next six minutes to help cut the lead down to 15. Baskets from Hopkins, Jonaldaren Baldwin (Burlington, N.C., Graham), Kevin Fowler (Mexico, N.Y. , Mexico Academy)and Charles Burgess (Spartanburg, S.C., Boiling Springs)all contributed to the Royals offense and bringing the Bears within 15.
At the final whistle, Queens falls 79-62.
In addition to Hopkins’ 25 points, he contributed seven rebounds. Behind Hopkins was Baldwin with 10 points and five rebounds.
For the visitors, Donte Watson and McDowell each scored 18 points and posted four boards.
Queens will compete again on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 4pm against Catawba College at the Oven.