Queens' hot shooting leads to 84-77 win over Catawba

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Hot-shooting Queens rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to take an 84-77 win over visiting Catawba in men’s basketball action on Tuesday night at Ovens Athletic Center.  The Royals improve to 2-4, while the Catawba Indians fall to 2-3.

Catawba held a 44-37 edge at the break, but the Royals canned 16-of-19 (84%) of its shots in the final half to surge ahead.  The Indians manage to make only 26% (9-of-35) in the final stanza.  The deft shooting touch and a 44-29 edge by Queens helped offset 25 Royal turnovers.

Dominick Reid (Charlotte, NC/Cannon School) was the top performer for the Tribe.  He scored 21 points, grabbed six rebounds, handed out six assists and recorded five steals.  Keon Moore (Colerain, NC/Bertie HS) followed with 19 points and four steals.

Dainel Bailey led five double-figure scorers for Queens with 18 points, hitting on 8-of-11 shots.  Reggie Hopkins and Antonio Stabler each added 16 points with Stabler grabbing eight rebounds.

The Indians stormed to a 19-6 in the opening five minutes before Queens rallied to go up 27-26 lead five minutes before the break.  Catawba regrouped and took the 44-37 lead at the half.

Queens took control midway through the second half, building a 55-54 lead to 68-56 with 6:25 to go.  A three-pointer and two free throws got the Indians within 76-71 with 1:43 left, but the Royals hit on 5-of-6 at the line in the final 37 seconds to seal the win.