Postgame Interview with Lewis Diankulu

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – No. 2 Queens University of Charlotte picked up an 82-66 road win over Carson-Newman University this afternoon to improve to 23-1 on the year and 15-1 in South Atlantic Conference play. The Eagles, ranked fourth in the region, drop to 19-5 on the year and 11-5 in the league.
 
Jalin Alexander and Mike Davis led the Royals this afternoon scoring 14 points apiece while Todd Withers recorded his seventh double-double season with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Ike Agusi totaled 11 points and six assists, and Lewis Diankulu recorded 11 points, five rebounds, and seven blocks. Shaun Willett added 10 points as well.
 
After trailing for a short time at the start of play Queens scored six straight points to lead 6-2 at 16:58. Soon after, the game sat knotted at 11-11 before the Eagles grabbed the lead once more. A fast-break layup from Alexander would return control to the Royals at 11:15, and a13-2 run in the closing minutes of the half would put Queens in front, 45-30, at the break.   
 
In the second half, the Eagles cut the Royals' lead to 11 on two occasions by the 15-minute mark. However, Queens would take over the game with a 15-6 run that put them ahead 20 points, 64-44, with 10:22 left to play. The Royals' lead then grew to as much as 24 points twice before they were able to walk away with the 16-point victory.  
 
Queens shot an impressive 46.4-percent from behind the three-point line connecting on 13-of-28 attempts. The Royals' defense also forced the Eagles to turn the ball over 18 times which they were able to convert into 14 points. Additionally, Queens shot 90-percent from the charity stripe knocking down 9-of-10 attempts.  
 
Shaun Jones led the Eagles with 14 points and eight rebounds while Charles Clark and Malik Abraham finished play with 10 points each.
 
Queens will return home to Curry Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 14 when they host Newberry College. The Royals defeated the Wolves in their first meeting on Jan. 10 by a score of 81-75 to lead the all-time series, 14-5. Queens was led by Shaun Willett who totaled 15 points and 11 rebounds to record his second double-double of the season. Newberry, South Carolina native Jalin Alexander scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds in front of his hometown crowd. Daniel Carr added 10 points, and Todd Withers chipped in with nine points and 12 rebounds. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.