Box Score HICKORY, N.C. – Queens University of Charlotte collected a 78-59 win over Lenoir-Rhyne University this evening to complete the home-and-home sweep of the Bears this season. The Royals currently sit third in the South Atlantic Conference at 7-4 in the league and 10-7 on the year. The Bears drop to 5-6 in league play and 7-8 on the year after the loss.
Junior guard
Rob Lewis shot 5-of-8 from the floor to lead Queens with 17 points. He also totaled four assists along with
Trey Ervin and
Kendall Jones. Sophomore forward
Logan Evans posted a season-high 12 points after connecting on 6-of-7 shots. Jones added nine points, while
Sean Morgan and
Marquis Rankin each chipped in with eight points apiece after both juniors played limited minutes after getting into foul trouble.
The Royals were able to find their offense tonight shooting 54.7 percent from the floor. They shot an impressive 65 percent in the second half on 13-of-20 shooting. Though outrebounded by the Bears 32-28, Queens dominated play inside the lane outscoring Lenoir-Rhyne 42-14 in the paint. The Royals were also able to capitalize on the Bears' ball handling mishaps, converting their 23 turnovers into 29 points.
Queens began tonight's game jumping out to a 10-1 lead, but the Bears would fight back to close the gap to two, 12-10, with 13:38 on the clock. The Royals responded to Lenoir-Rhyne's push with a 10-2 run of their own to build their lead out to 10. They held an 18 point lead at the break, 41-23, following a layup by
Ben Richter with seven seconds on the clock.
The Bears would cut the Royals' lead to 12 on a few occasions in the second half, but Queens never flustered. Remaining patient in their offense, the Royals were able to put points on the board when they needed to, and keep the Bears at bay. With 3:53 to play,
Jedarian Jackson collected a steal and raced up the court for a fastbreak dunk to give the Royals their largest lead of the night, 74-53.
Justice Morgan led the Bears with 15 points tonight, while Will Perry and Reed Lucas added 11 points apiece.
The Royals will have a few days to prepare for their home game against Anderson University on January 24 at 2 p.m. Saturday's game in Curry Arena will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
