Queens keeps dancing in NCAAs, ties program record for most wins in a season

Four players scored in double figures as the Queens Royals advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division II men’s basketball championships on Sunday with a 75-63 win against UNC Pembroke in the Southeast Regional semifinals.

The Royals’ 30th victory ties a program record for wins in a season. Last year’s team finished 30-4 overall while making the program’s first Sweet 16 run since 2002-2003.

UNC Pembroke’s last lead came less than a minute into the game, at 3-1. Queens’ largest lead was 14 points, with 15 seconds left in the game, but a layup from James Murray-Broyles cut the final margin to 12.

Jalin Alexander and Mike Davis each scored 18 points to lead Queens (30-3). Davis also dished out a game-high 12 assists.

Todd Withers added 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds for the Royals. Shaun Willett scored 10 points.

Queens shot 40.9 percent from the field and hits 10 of 29 3-pointers.

Brandon Watts led UNC Pembroke (27-6), the Peach Belt Conference tournament champion, with a game-high 22 points and added seven rebounds.

Tuesday at 7 p.m., Queens will face South Atlantic Conference rival Lincoln Memorial (31-1) in the regional finals. The Railsplitters, SAC champions and regional hosts, beat Clayton State 87-61 Sunday. All three of the Royals’ losses this season were to Lincoln Memorial.

This story was originally published March 11, 2018 at 7:49 PM with the headline "Queens keeps dancing in NCAAs, ties program record for most wins in a season."