CHARLOTTE, N.C.- In the Queens first Coaches vs. Cancer event, the fans in attendance were treated to a fast-paced and entertaining Conference Carolinas contest between cross-town rivals Belmont Abbey College and Queens University of Charlotte.
The game opened with the teams trading baskets until the Abbey (10-5/7-2 CC) took the lead. Jonathan Jackson created the largest lead of the game, 11 points, with his free throw to make the score 17-6, just outside of the 15 minute mark.
Queens (3-13 overall/2-7 CC) battled back and re-took the lead from the Abbey with a three-pointer from Reggie Hopkins (Gastonia, N.C., Ashbrook), 32-30. The last six minutes were up and down the court and with a pair of threes from Jackson sandwiched around a field goal from Patrick Fox (Eden, N.C. , Morehead) gave the Crusaders a two point edge, 47-45 heading into the locker rooms.
The second half started a little slower with the first basket not being hit for almost two minutes into the half. It was the same pattern of trading baskets and again Belmont Abbey kept the advantage, and this time they did not give it back.
Queens kept the Crusaders close for most of the half, but three-pointers from Jackson kept the visitors out in front. By the end of the night Jackson was eight of 13 from behind the arc.
Devon Seaford (Charlotte, N.C., Hope Christian Academy) just missed cutting the Belmont Abbey lead in half with a three-point basket with 11 ticks left on the clock, but the ball was just short. Daniel Bailey (Irmo, S.C., Hammond ) got the put back to bring the Royals within four and only seven seconds left.
Chad Patus sealed the Royal fate as he hit two free throws, finishing the game out at 98-92.
Overall, Queens slightly trailing Belmont Abbey in baskets from the floor, 59.6% to 55.9%. The Royals did excel in free throw shooting, 85.7%, missing just two shots. The Abbey struggled in the first half, going just four of 10, but did manage to improve in the second half making 12 of 17, for a total of 59.3%.
During the game, the Royals student-athletes challenged Belmont Abbey in a change war, seeing what team can collect the most money to be donated to the American Cancer society.
Both teams will play again on Monday, Queens at Lees-McRae and Belmont Abbey at Anderson.
