CHARLOTTE, N.C. – No. 4 Queens University of Charlotte returned to action this evening at home against Lenoir-Rhyne University picking up a 70-63 win over the Bears to move to 17-1 on the year and 9-1 in South Atlantic play. The Bears fall to 7-9 on the year and 5-5 in league action.
 
The Royals got off to a hot start opening with a 15-2 run to see their largest lead of the half at just 13:34. However, by the 9:19 mark the Bears had cut Queens' lead to just four, 17-13, after going on an 11-2 spurt. Queens would grow its lead back out to seven following three baskets in a row from Lewis Diankulu, but that was as large as the margin would get before Lenoir-Rhyne made it a four-point game, 31-27, at the break. Todd Withers led the Royals with 12 points at the half.
 
The Royals opened the second half much like they started the game, increasing their lead back out 12 just five minutes into play. Mike Davis would get Queens going with three consecutive triples before Agusi connected on a fourth to put the Royals in front, 43-31. Queens then saw its largest lead of the night on a fastbreak three-pointer from Daniel Carr that put the home team ahead, 61-47, with 8:25 left in regulation. A pair of threes from Lenoir-Rhyne's Reed Lucas and Billy Bales late in the game would cut Queens' lead to four with just 55 seconds to play, but the Royals' defense responded holding the Bears scoreless in the remaining seconds to solidify their 17th win of the season.
 
Queens shot 50-percent from the floor, and 47.6-percent from the three after connecting on 7-of-13 threes in just the second half. The Royals also forced 13 turnovers by the Bears converting them into 24 points on the offensive end.
 
Withers led the Royals this evening with 17 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Mike Davis added 13 points and seven rebounds while Ike Agusi recorded his first double-double of season with 10 points and a new career-high 11 assists. Diankulu finished with nine points, and Carr totaled seven points.
 
The Bears were led by Cory Thomas who finished with 18 points. Djibrill Diallo added 11 points, and Reed Lucas totaled 10 points.
 
Queens will return home on Saturday, Jan. 20 to host Tusculum College for the first time this season. Last year, the Royals swept the Pioneers winning 83-79 on the road and home and 80-54 at home. Queens leads the series, 11-1. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.