Postgame Interview with Jalin Alexander
Highlights

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The second-ranked Royals of Queens University of Charlotte faced Newberry College in Curry Arena this evening in a fast-paced shootout that ended with the Royals on top, 103-95. Queens knocked down a season-high 19 three-pointers tonight en route to improving its record to 24-1 on the year and 16-1 in South Atlantic Conference play. The Wolves drop to 12-13 on the season and 6-11 in the league.
 
Queens was led by Mike Davis who scored a season-high 25 points after knocking down 7-of-14 attempts from deep. Davis also recorded three rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks. Jalin Alexander added 23 points after shooting 8-of-14 from the floor. Ike Agusi added 16 points and seven assists while Shaun Willett totaled 13 points and seven rebounds. Todd Withers totaled 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists while Daniel Carr chipped in with three points, seven assists, and two steals.
 
Both teams shot 34 shots apiece in the first half of the game which saw eight lead changes and nine ties. Queens' largest lead would come at the beginning of the game when they led the Wolves, 8-0, at 18:38.  By the end of the period, the Royals held just a three-point lead, 57-54, thanks to a triple from Agusi in the final seconds of the half.
 
Queens shot 55.9-percent from the floor and 50-percent from the three in the first while the Wolves shot 50-percent from the floor and 46.7-percent from the three. The Wolves also capitalized on Queens' ballhandling mishaps converting the Royals' 10 first-half turnovers into 18 points.
 
The second half of tonight's game would play out much like the first. At 16:22, a three-pointer from James Stepp put the Wolves in front and they held on to control of the game for the next four minutes building their lead out to as much as five. However, a five-point swing in the Royals' favor just before the under-12 media timeout would knot the game at 74-74. Out of the break, three-points scored the old-fashioned way by Solomon Smith would put the Royals back on top as they went ahead by seven points, 83-76, with 9:35 left to play.  
 
The Wolves made one final push taking a 90-89 lead with 5:23 left on the clock, but their lead would be short-lived as a layup from Davis quickly followed returning control of the game to Queens for good. Alexander then helped seal the deal for Queens scoring seven of the Royals' final nine points to help secure the win.
 
Queens finished the game shooting 54.4-percent from the floor compared to Newberry's 53.4-percent clip. Additionally, the Royals outscored the Wolves, 36-20, in the paint. The Royals also totaled a season-high 27 assists.
 
Stepp led the Wolves with 19 points while Rob Valentine added 16 points. Quaman Burton totaled 15 points, and Jabrie Bullard scored 14 points. Marshall Lange chipped in with 11 points.
 
Queens will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 17 when they welcome Mars Hill University to Curry Arena. The Royals defeated the Lions, 93-64, on the road in January to lead the all-time series, 9-5. Withers totaled 18 points, seven rebounds, three steals, three blocks, and two assists to lead Queens in its 29-point victory. Agusi posted 12 points, seven assists, and two steals while Carr added 12 points, five steals, and four assists. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Click below for the postgame interview with Jalin Alexander.



Click below for highlights for Wednesday night's broadcast on the Queens Sports Network.