CHARLOTTE, N.C. – UVA Wise dropped a 100-68 decision to Queens University of Charlotte Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Cameron Whiteside netted a game-high 30 points for his fifth 30+ point performance of the season while connecting on a career-high six three-pointers in the road loss.
UVA Wise (5-19, 1-17 SAC) struggled to climb from behind as Queens got on the board quickly, taking a double-digit lead six minutes into the contest, up 18-8 over the Cavs. UVA Wise trailed by 19 with 7:20 on the clock as Queens held a 33-14 advantage.
The Royals (18-6, 13-5 SAC) pushed their margin to as much as 25 points in the first half with a late three by senior Chance Sheffey putting UVA Wise down by 20 points, 47-27, heading into the break.
In the opening frame, the Cavs shot 36 percent (9-for-25) from the field and connected on 6-of-9 (66.7 percent) shots from the foul line.
Whiteside led the team with eight points followed by Sheffey who had six points in the first half. Senior Eric Okenchi posted a team-high six boards to start and added four points.
A three-pointer by Whiteside cut into Queens lead midway through the second frame as UVA Wise trailed 72-46. The Royals continued to pull away, leading by 30 or more points through the final six minutes of the contest as Queens picked up the 100-68 win.
Whiteside connected on 5-of-8 shots from behind the arc, 8-of-12 from the field, in the second half as he posted 22 points. Senior Tajh Eason added four rebounds while Whiteside grabbed three boards in the closing frame. UVA Wise shot 50 percent (9-for-18) from three and 45.5 percent (15-for-33) from the floor in the second half.
On the day, the Cavs shot 41.4 percent (24-for-58) from the field, 40 percent (12-for-30) from downtown, and 53.3 percent (8-for-15) from the charity stripe. Okenchi and Eason each finished with a team-high seven rebounds in the loss while Whiteside posted six boards.
The Royals won the rebounding battle 43-29 as Queens posted just five turnovers to 12 for UVA Wise. Queens outscored the Cavs in the paint 50-20 and were assisted by 40 points off the bench.
Head coach Blake Mellinger's team will stay on the road for a contest at Lenoir-Rhyne Wednesday night with tip slated for 7:30 p.m.
