JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The No. 7/16 Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team (4-0, 2-0 SAC) defeated Carson-Newman (1-3, 0-2 SAC), 83-81, in a thrilling battle between two conference foes. The Royals remain unbeaten through four games, keeping up their strong start to the season.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle between the Royals and the Eagles, with neither team's lead ever exceeding four points. Both teams were very efficient on the offensive end with the Royals shooting 48% from the field and 62% from behind the arc, while the Eagles shot 55.6% from the field and 41% from behind the arc. The Royals led at the break, 43-40.
The Royals created some separation in the second half, after a 7-0 run increased their lead to 60-51 with 13:12 remaining. With 3:11 remaining the Royals led 80-75. They were held scoreless by the Eagles for the next 3:08, as Carson-Newman took an 81-80 lead with 1:11 remaining.
With three seconds remaining, AJ McKee corralled an offensive rebound and kicked it to his teammate, Jamari Smith, for a game-winning three-pointer for the Royals!
AJ McKee and Jamari Smith led the Royals with 16 points each. Smith also led the team with 10 rebounds recording his first double-double of the season! AJ McKee shot an efficient 4-5 from three-point range. Jay'Den Turner tallied 14 points of his own.
BJ McLaurin once again provided valuable minutes off the bench, scoring 13 points, and grabbing four rebounds. Kenny Dye led the Royals with eight assists and Gavin Rains led the team with five steals.
On the night, the Royals shot 44% from the field and an incredibly efficient 57% from deep range. The Royals were pesky on the defensive end, forcing 16 Eagles turnovers, while doing an excellent job of taking care of the ball on the offensive end, committing just six turnovers.
The Royals return to action this Tuesday, as they travel to Anderson, S.C., for another conference matchup against the Anderson Trojans at 7:30 p.m. Be sure to follow the men's basketball Twitter and Instagram pages, @queensmbb. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media @QueensAthletics.
