Men's Basketball Loses at Queens

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Lions lost to no. 4 Queens University 85-57 in South Atlantic Conference men's basketball action Saturday evening in the Levine Center. Mars Hill fell to 3-7 overall and 1-4 in the league. The Royals improved to 12-0 on the season and 6-0 in the SAC.

Makyle Wilkerson and Indiana Rotondo led the Lions with 12 points each. Wilkerson added five rebounds. The Lions connected on only 35.8% (24-67) of their field goals and 21.4% (6-28) of their attempts from behind the arc.

Todd Withers led all scorers with 25 points to pace the Royals. He also pulled down seven rebounds. Ike Agusi tallied 15 points while Jared Hendryx and Jalin Alexander notched 10 markers apiece. Queens won the battle of the boards, 46-39. The Royals converted on 47% (31-66) of their shots and 40.6% (13-32) of their three-point attempts.

Darryl White hit a high percentage shot with 16:40 on the clock in the first half that gave Queens a 4-2 lead they would not relinquish the remainder of the contest. Queens led by as many as 24 points (42-18) in the first frame after Hendryx scored inside with 2:32 left in the opening half.

A three-pointer by Rotondo with 18:58 left in the second half cut the Lions deficit to 14 points (45-31) but unfortunately, that was as close as Mars Hill would get. The Royals maintained a comfortable lead the rest of the way and led by as many as 35 points (84-49) when White hit a three pointer with 5:06 left in regulation. Queens cruised down the stretch to the 85-57 victory.

Mars Hill will return to action on December 28, when they play at NCAA Division I rival Western Carolina. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.