CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- For the second consecutive game, Bellarmine Knights Men's Basketball fell into a big early hole that they were ultimately unable to climb out of, losing 98-76 on the road to the Queens University (NC) Royals.  With the result, the Knights drop to 5-9 overall on the season and 0-2 in ASUN conference play.

Following a cold start from both teams in the first minute and a half, the Royals hit the first shot of the game from three-point range, after which the Knights got their own offense going as Kenyon Goodin and Jack Karasinski led the Knights to an 8-2 spurt.  Queens then tied it before layups from Michael Wilson Jr. and Brian Waddell put Bellarmine up 12-8.  The Royals continued to hit threes, using a 10-2 run to take an 18-14 lead.  The two teams traded baskets before a Karasinski three brought the Knights to within 23-21.  Bellarmine's offense then stalled and Queens went on a 24-4 run that saw eight made three-pointers and put the Knights behind 47-25.  Bellarmine was able to rally and end the first half with a 15-3 run that was spearheaded by a combined 10 points from Karasinski and Tyler Doyle to make it 50-40 at halftime.

After Queens hit another three to start the second half, the Knights continued to cut into the deficit with a 7-0 run as a Karasinski corner three was sandwiched by two layups from Waddell to make it 53-47.  Queens stretched the lead back to a dozen with a converted and-one opportunity and another three-pointer before another Waddell layup was followed by four straight points from Karasinski to bring it back down to six.  However, the Knights could not get any closer, as the Royals kept them at arms' length until a 16-2 run upped the gap back to 22 with 6:30 remaining, effectively putting the game on ice.

Karsinski once again led the Knights with 24 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including a perfect 5-of-5 from three-point range.  Waddell contributed with 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go along with five rebounds.  Goodin scored 11 points and set a new season high with a team-leading six rebounds.  Doyle came off the bench to score 10 points.

As a team, the Knights shot 25-of-48 from the field, good for 52% and marking the 11th time in their last 12 games that they've shot at least 50% from the field.  Bellarmine also outscored Queens 24-19 in bench points and 32-18 in points in the paint.

Up next, the Knights will host the Bears of Central Arkansas on Thursday, January 8 at 7 PM ET.

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