CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Playing in the team's fourth SAC Pilot Flying J Championship Final in the last five years, the No. 16/17 Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team fell by an 88-79 score to third-seeded Carson-Newman University on Sunday inside Curry Arena.
 
Redshirt-sophomore opened the scoring with a 3-pointer from the top of the key but the game was knotted in a 10-10 tie with 15:10 on the clock. Carson-Newman's Tyler Bowens put his team ahead by three after converting an and-one play before Kenny Dye buried a 3-pointer to even the score on the next possession.
 
A quick 4-0 spurt moved the Eagles ahead 17-13, a lead they would hold for a six-minute stretch until and individual 9-0 run by sophomore Jay'Den Turner put Queens ahead 32-27 with 5:36 to play in the half. Carson-Newman battled back to tie the score at 40-40 with 22 seconds on the clock as dye hit one-of-two free throw with four seconds left to give the Royals a one-point halftime lead.
 
The second half opened with a 7-0 run for the Royals as the home team held on to a lead for the first seven minutes of the final period. A Bowens' 3-pointer evened the score at 50-all before the team's traded baskets until junior Quan McCluney netted a 3-pointer with just over 11 minutes remaining to put Queens in front by one.
 
Carson-Newman answered with a 3-pointer of their own from the 2020-21 SAC Freshman of the Year Ren Dyer. Dyer buried another three just one possession later to put his team ahead 65-60. The Weaverville, N.C. native finished with 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor to earn all-tournament honors alongside teammates EJ Bush and Luke Brenegan. Bush was named the Tournament MVP after averaging 16.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game on 59.4 percent shooting from the floor in three postseason games.
 
The Eagles twice built a lead of 14 points down the stretch as Queens fought back to cut the deficit to a seven-point margin, 86-79, following a 3-pointer from Dye. Luke Brenegan sank two free throws with less than 20 seconds left to seal the win for the visitors.
 
Smith led all scorers with a career-high 26 points, making 8-of-17 shots from the floor and 9-of-11 attempts from the free throw line to go along with eight rebounds. McCluney followed with 17 points and seven rebounds, going 5-for-7 from deep, and Dye finished with 13 points and six assists. Smtih and Dye each earned all-tournament selections.
 
The Royals will now turn their attention to the NCAA Southeast Regional as an at-large bid is on the line during tonight's Selection Show at 10:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.