Staff report

CHARLOTTE — A career game by guard Rakeen “Rock” Brown gave Catawba’s men’s basketball team a chance at 10th-ranked Queens on Wednesday, but the Royals beat the Indians, 93-85, to stay on top of the South Atlantic Conference.

Brown’s 23-point night included five 3-pointers. His previous high was 21.

Brown scored 16 in the first half as the Indians (16-9, 10-9) traded blows with the Royals (23-2, 17-2), who are ranked No. 1 in the Southeast Region.

Catawba trailed 37-36 at halftime, but Queens took control of the game with an 11-0 run early in the second half. Trailing by 19, Catawba made a late rally and got as close as six points in the final minute.

Offense wasn’t a problem for the Indians, who dropped their third straight game. They shot 52.4 percent and made 10 3-pointers. Jameel Taylor had 19 points and eight rebounds. K.J. Arrington had a nice second half and contributed 13 points and seven rebounds. Troy Warren scored 10 points.

The rebounding and turnover stats were basically even.

Catawba’s issues were on the defensive end, where a talented Queens squad scored with numbing  efficiency. Queens shot 60 percent for the game and was a blistering 17-for-24 from the floor in the second half. That’s 70.8 percent.

Jalin Alexander scored 21 points for the Royals. Ike Agusi had 20, Daniel Camps scored 16, and Todd Withers added 15.

Queens, which scored 119 points on Wednesday against Mars Hill, still holds a one-game lead in the SAC race over Lincoln Memorial.

Catawba is now tied for fifth in the SAC with Anderson and Newberry and will look to bounce back at Brevard (2.23, 0-19) on Saturday.

CATAWBA (85) — Brown 23, Taylor 19, Arrington 13, Warren 10, Morrison 8, McGregor 3, Constantine 3, Ingram 2, Robinson 2, McLaughlin 2, Sealey.

QUEENS (93) —Alexander 21, Agusi 20, Camps 16, Withers 15, Davis 13, Hendryx 4, White 4.

Catawba            36   49   —  85

Queens              37     56   — 93