WISE, VA — Even with UVA Wise's bench coming up big and snagging 34 points, the Queens (NC) Royals took control under the bucket and took the win by a score of 99-67 in the David J. Prior Convocation Center on Monday. 

HALF BY HALF:

The Cavaliers struck early and maintained a four-point lead with the help of a signature Isaiah McAmis three-pointer. The Royals were caught off guard, needing to stop Cavalier momentum. Queens did just that with back-to-back jumpers by Kenny Dye and Jay'Den Turner, setting the score even at seven. Over the next five minutes, the Royals took control of the arc and netted two consecutive three-point shots by Dye and Kalib Mathews, putting the Cavs at a four-point deficit. Jamari Smith then scored the next six points for the Royals squad with less than 10 minutes to go in the first half. The Royals kept advancing their score, taking control of a 23-point lead over the Cavs going into the break. 

In the second, the Royals once again took advantage of their depth from downtown and dropped an AJ McKee three-pointer in the first minute of second-half play. The first Cavalier points came from Caleb Lominac with a put-back, putting their side at 28. Ben Bryson then came from the outside to drop two three-pointers, putting the Royals up 27. The next six minutes displayed a back-and-forth Cavalier and Royals effort, with Jamari Smith snagging his 1000th point in the last 10 minutes of the second half. Fighting hard for the Cavaliers was Makai Vassell, dropping 15 points and 4 rebounds. BJ McLaurin had an impressive second half to aid the Royals, grabbing 14 points to seal a 99-67 Queens victory. 

CAVS LEADERS:

Vassell led the Cavaliers on the night with 15 points, and Tyler Lloyd followed with 14 points of his own to add to his statbook. Kervens Yacinthe followed close behind with nine points — consisting of three downtown shots. Joel Pettiford was a force under the bucket with seven rebounds and a steal. 

QUEENS LEADERS: 

McLaurin led the Royals effort with 18 points and Dye trailed right behind with 16. Smith put up a historic night with 13 points and Turner netted his own 13. 

UP NEXT

The Cavs will head to Mars Hill to play the Lions on Wednesday, Feb. 2 with a 7:30 PM tipoff.