CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The tenth-ranked Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team came up short on Saturday afternoon against rival Wingate University, suffering an 80-71 setback inside Curry Arena.
 
After shooting 50 percent from the floor in the opening half, including 7-of-12 (58.3%) from deep, Queens made just 38.1 percent of its shots in the second half of action. In comparison, Wingate shot 51.6 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes to secure the comeback victory.
 
Queens (2-2, 1-1 SAC) jumped out to an early 11-3 lead over the game's first four minutes of play that included two 3-pointers from junior Kelyn Pennie. A corner 3-pointer from redshirt-freshman AJ McKee put the Royals ahead 19-5 with 14:19 on the clock as Queens' largest lead of 17 points came via a 3-pointer from junior Quan McCluney with 6:36 to go in the half.
 
Wingate (3-2, 3-2 SAC) cut the deficit to single digits, 34-25, on a 3-pointer from Jaren Cottingham but a jumper from junior Malcolm Stevenson quickly put the Royals back in front by double figures. Pennie's fifth 3-pointer of the game ended the half with Queens ahead 44-34.
 
The Royals remained in front for the majority of the second half despite the Bulldogs pulling withing three points of tying the game with 5:05 remaining. However, Wingate closed the game on a 16-5 run over the final 4:07 of action to complete the rally.
 
Pennie led all scorers with 20 points, making 6-of-9 3-pointers, while sophomore Gavin Rains narrowly missed his second straight double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. Stevenson also finished with 12 points and junior Kenny Dye recorded nine points, six rebounds and five assists.
 
Queens will have almost two weeks away from competition before taking the court against Lenoir-Rhyne University on Dec. 16 in Hickory, N.C.