Staff report

CHARLOTTE — Catawba’s men’s basketball team suffered an another agonizing South Atlantic Conference loss to frontrunner Queens on Wednesday.

One-point losers to the 10th-ranked Royals at Goodman Gym on Jan. 16, the Indians fell 87-83 in the highly anticipated rematch at Levine Center.

Catawba led 83-79 when Jeremy McLaughlin made a layup with 1:19 remaining, but the Royals scored the final eight points of the night.

With the score tied at 83-all, Shaun Willett scored inside for Queens with 18 seconds left.

On Catawba’s next possession, Jameel Taylor was called for an offensive foul. Then Daniel Carr made two free throws with four seconds remaining to clinch the victory for Queens.

Marcell Haskett poured in 27 for the Indians, shooting 10-for-17 and connecting on four 3-pointers. Taylor scored 14, Jordan McElveen had 13, Devin Cooper had 12, and Malik Constantine scored 10.

Catawba (19-6, 12-5) did a job on the boards, out-rebounding Queens, 42-31, but Queens made only seven turnovers — half as many as Catawba — in a fast-paced game.

Both teams shot the ball in the 48-percent range from the field. Both teams made eight 3-pointers.

Willett scored 22 for Queens (24-3, 16-1), Carr had 21, and Van Turner scored 20.

Catawba dropped to third place and heads to second-place Lincoln Memorial for another tough road game on Saturday.

CATAWBA (83) — Haskett 27, Taylor 14, McElveen 13, Cooper 12, Constantine 10, McLaughlin 6, Barber 3, Whitfield 2, Zemonek, Lilly.

QUEENS (87) — Willett 22, Carr 21, Turner 20, Dye 12, Blaylock 8, Diankulu 4, Patterson 2, Morrow 2.

Catawba    43   4 4   —87

Queens     43    48   — 91