Box Score HICKORY, N.C. – Senior guard Jarrett Stokes poured in 32 points this evening as the Royals (1-2) fell, 81-77, to Lenoir-Rhyne University (1-2) in their conference opener. The Royals now sit at 0-1 in the SAC, while the Bears begin conference play at 1-0.
 
With six seconds to play, junior guard Trey Ervin sunk a pair of free-throws to give the Royals a 65-62 lead and what appeared to be a win. However, RJ McClure of L-R would hit a runner from behind the three-point line at the buzzer, sending tonight's game into overtime.
 
Senior forward Brent Evans struck first in the overtime period, putting the Royals ahead 67-65 before a layup from L-R's McClure tied things back up. Senior forward Josh Clyburn answered on the next possession, kissing the ball of the glass from under the basket with 2:17 on the clock to give the advantage back to Queens.
 
A foul with 15 seconds to play would send McClure to the free-throw line where he tied the game at 69-69. With eight seconds to play, the Royals had the ball out of a timeout looking to win the game. Evans would take the final shot, getting a good look from under the basket that rimmed out taking the game into a second overtime period.
 
In the second overtime period, a McClure three-pointer would give the Bears a 72-70 lead following a made free-throw from Queens' Clyburn. Stokes would respond for Queens with three-points from the foul line after getting hit on the arm in the act of shooting. His three points gave Queens a 73-72 lead that was short lived as McClure put the Bears back on top, 74-73, at the charity stripe with1:55 on the clock. Stokes would reach 32 points on the night on a pull up jumper to give the Royals a 75-74 lead at 1:40.
 
Miscommunication on the defensive end would lead to an easy lay-in from L-R's Matt Kunz, and a missed bucket for the Royals on the opposite end put the Royals at a disadvantage. With time ticking off the clock, Queens was forced to foul, sending the Bears to the line where they were able to connect on 3-4 attempts to secure the conference win.
 
Tonight's game began much like it ended, with the two teams trading baskets and the lead. A pair of free-throws from Clyburn would put Queens ahead in the first half for good with 8:45 on the clock. At the break, the Royals led the Bears, 32-27.
 
Stokes shot 12-26 from the floor, and was perfect from the foul line to net his 32 points. Clyburn added 16 points shooting 5-13 from the floor and 6-8 from the line. He also pulled down seven boards. Evans finished with 10 rebounds and six points.
 
Matching Stokes was McClure of L-R who also scored 32 points. Will Perry scored 13 points, while Mark Terrell added 10. Jarvis Perry recorded a double-double with 12 rebounds and 12 assists.
 
The Royals will travel to Lincoln Memorial on Saturday to take on the Railsplitters at 8 p.m.