OPENING TIP
Score: Winthrop 86 | Queens 78
Records: Winthrop (7-3) | Queens (3-5)
Location: Curry Arena (Charlotte, N.C.)
 
THE SHORT STORY
In the seventh all-time meeting between Queens and Winthrop, the visiting Eagles claimed the Battle of I-77 in a shootout inside Curry Arena. The Eagles were scorching hot in the second half shooting 59 percent from the field while earning 23 free throw attempts compared to the Royals nine.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Chris Ashby stayed hot from behind the arc turning in a game-high 20 points, including 17 in the second half. The sharpshooter went from 5-of-12 from downtown marking the second straight game with five threes.
-Floor general Bryce Cash stuffed the stat sheet with a season-high 13 points while dishing seven dimes. On defense, the Charlotte native brought down four rebounds and swiped a pair of steals.
-Graduate student Leo Colimerio turned in his third straight game in double figures with 14 points. The Sao Paulo, Brazil native added four boards to his line.
-Center Malcolm Wilson pulled down seven boards, including four on the offensive glass. Wilson added five blocks marking the fifth game this season he has reached that mark.
-Senior Jaxon Pollard matched his career-high with 11 points while bringing down a season-high eight rebounds. The Cedar Hills, Utah native has pulled down five or more boards in three straight outings.
-Yoav Berman and Nasir Mann came off the bench to combine for 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting.
-The physical battle between nearby rivals saw a combined 50 fouls called. Winthrop, one of the nation's top free throw shooting teams benefited going 21-of-34 from the charity stripe.
-The visiting Eagles won the battle on the glass 43-36, including a 14-9 mark on the offensive glass. Winthrop managed to convert those second-chance opportunities into 14 points.
-Nick Johnson led the Eagles with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting.

NOTABLE MOMENTS
-Both offenses exchanged blows early before Winthrop ripped off a 12-2 surge, including an 8-0 run over 3:48 to grab a 15-9 lead heading into the second media timeout.
-Trailing 21-12 in the first half, Queens ripped off an 8-2 run capped by a Leo Colimerio physical layup to force a Winthrop timeout as the deficit was cut to three.
-Coming out of the first media timeout of the second half, the Eagles sparked a 7-2 run to grab a 55-45 lead, their largest lead since five minutes in the first half.
-Halfway through the second half, the Royals found a groove connecting on 8-of-10 straight attempts.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
-Queens fell to 21-9 at home inside Curry Arena since joining Division 1. The loss was just the Royals second home non-conference loss after Appalachian State escaped last season.
-Chris Ashby passed former Royal standout AJ McKee for sixth all-time in career three-pointers made.
-The 34 free throw attempts from the Eagles were the most by a Royals opponent since Jacksonville attempted 40 last season.
-The Royals distributed the ball effectively totaling 17 assists marking the fourth game this season with 15 or more dimes.

NEXT UP
Queens will return to action this Saturday, December 7^th when the Royals travel to Lexington, Virginia for a showdown with VMI. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN Plus. The first all-time meeting between the two programs will mark the second game of the ASUN/SoCon Challenge for the Royals. Earlier this season, Queens took down Western Carolina as part of the challenge.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow Queens Men's Basketball on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok for news and updates throughout the season. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media to stay up to date on all the Royals sports in action.