WILSON, N.C. – A 14-0 run to start overtime lifted the Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team over Barton for their ninth consecutive win and into a tie for first place in the Conference Carolinas.

"I'm awful proud of how we fought down the stretch, in what I think is one of the toughest gyms in the country to win ballgames," said Royals head coach Wes Long. "We weren't perfect tonight by any stretch of the imagination, but I think a lot of that credit belongs to how well Barton plays at home."
 
The notoriously stingy Royals (6-0, 10-4) defense was at it again Tuesday night – holding the Bulldogs (4-4, 9-7) to just 30.4 percent shooting in their 82-69 win in Wilson Gym.

"We are happy to get out of there with a win, and guarding to the tune of 30.4 percent enabled us to stay in the game when we struggled in other areas some."

One of the league's two unbeaten squads, the Royals came out of the gate strong. Reigning conference Player of the Week Reggie Hopkins (Gastonia, N.C., Ashbrook) scored 10 first-half points to put the Royals up by as many as eight. But, despite holding Barton to just 28.1 percent shooting in the half, the Bulldogs were able to battle back. After seven ties and 11 lead changes, the Bulldogs would take a 38-35 lead into the break.

Daniel Bailey (Irmo, S.C., Hammond )  led the charge for the Royals in the second half, netting 10 of his 22 points. However, the story remained the same, as the second half featured another four ties and five lead changes. The final tie of the game came with Barton's R.D. Dowdy at the line with 10 seconds remaining in regulation. Trailing 65-67, Dowdy sunk both free throws to send it into overtime.

The extra session belonged to the Royals, who outscored the Bulldogs 14-0 to start the period. Antonio Stabler (Garner, N.C., Wakefield) notched a tip-in while Bailey, Brandon Nichols (Fayetteville, N.C., Jack Britt), and Hopkins followed with three-pointers to quickly make it 78-67. A Bailey foul shot and a dunk by Nichols pushed the lead to 81-67. L.J. Dunn scored Barton's lone OT bucket with 49 seconds remaining.

"In the overtime period, I thought we were intelligent," said Long. "We managed the game well and three different guys knocked down some big shots, but I am most proud that we got stops and rebounded the ball."

The Royals return to action Thursday night when they welcome St. Andrews Presbyterian (4-3, 7-7) to the Oven for a 7:30 p.m. tip.