No. 4 Royals Drop No. 12 Lincoln Memorial Advancing to NCAA Southeast Regional Final
AUGUSTA, GA. - The No. 4 Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team (30-3, 21-3 SAC) defeated No. 12 Lincoln Memorial University (26-5, 21-3 SAC), 81-76, in a thrilling matchup in the Semifinals of the Southeast Regional NCAA Tournament. With the win the Royals advance to the finals on Tuesday night against the winner of Augusta and UNC Pembroke. The victory was historic as the Royals set a program record winning their 17th consecutive game as they moved to 2-2 all-time against the Railsplitters in the Southeast Regional.
The Royals came out of the gates hot, taking an early 13-4 lead with 15:53 to play. The Railsplitters would claw back into the game with a 6-0 run to cut the Royals lead to 15-13 with 14:42 to play in half one. The half of runs would continue, as the Royals went on a 7-0 run to extend their lead to 22-13. After the two sides traded blows, the Railsplitters stormed out to an 8-0 run to knot the game at 30-30 with 5:12 to play in half one.
The Royals would quickly respond with a made three-pointer and a layup, to take a 35-30 lead. The two sides would trade baskets the rest of the half, continuing the back-and-forth half, as the Royals took a 43-38 lead into the break. The Royals shot an efficient 51-percent from the field in the first half and the bench for the Royals added 14 points in the first frame.
The second half remained the same back-and-forth affair, that the first half was. The Railsplitters would cut the Royals lead to 51-49 with 15:20 to play, after going on a 7-2 run over the previous two minutes. The Railsplitters would retake the lead, 55-54, on a made three-pointer with 13:26 to play. Trailing 60-59, the Royals would ramp up the defensive pressure to go on a 10-2 run to take a 69-62 lead with 6:59 to play.
The Railsplitters would quickly respond, cutting the Royals lead to 69-67 with 4:44 to play. Heading into the final media timeout, the Royals held a slim 70-67 lead. The two teams would go back-and-forth before a made three-pointer by the Railsplitters cut the Royals lead to just one point, 77-76, with 1:33 remaining.
After some defensive stops, the Railsplitters would corral a rebound and kick it out for a three-pointer, that would go in, but the shot clock had expired before they could get the shot off. Jamari Smith would go 2-for-2 from the foul line, giving the Royals a 79-76 lead with 9 seconds to play. The Railsplitters would get off a final shot, but it would fall short. Two Kenny Dye made free throws, sealed the thrilling 81-76 victory for the Royals.
Kenny Dye led the Royals in points with 22, on an efficient 6-for-11 from the field and 3-for-5 from behind the arc. Jamari Smith led the Royals in rebounds with eight and assists with four, while also adding 12 points. Smith would also record a pair blocks and one steal on the night, as he stuffed the stat sheet for the Royals. Jay'Den Turner was incredibly efficient for the Royals, scoring 16 points on 6-for-9 from the field.
The Royals shot an incredibly efficient 51-percent from the field and 50-percent from behind the arc. The Royals bench was crucial in victory, totaling 19 points. The Royals were once again clutch from the free-throw line, shooting 70% from the stripe as they notched the final key points from the stripe.
The Royals return to action, Tuesday night, March 15th, against the winner of Augusta and UNC Pembroke. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Be sure to follow the men's basketball program on Twitter and Instagram. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media @QueensAthletics, to stay up to date with all of Royals Athletics.