The Gardner-Webb University men’s basketball team fell 83-80 to Queens University of Charlotte on Wednesday night.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs tied the game with 13 seconds left on the clock, but the Royals were able to hit a go-ahead three-pointer to secure the win.

“We didn’t rebound well enough tonight to earn a road win,” said head coach Bradley Craft. “Credit Queens with doing a great job of being physical on the offensive glass to create 20 second chance points. We have to do a better job in that area to beat good teams on the road.”

The Royals took an early lead, starting with a 12-9 run in the first five minutes of the game. Baskets from Jacobi Sebock and Deyton Albury allowed Queens to take a 10-point lead by the 12:26 mark.

Four straight buckets by Caleb Robinson brought the Runnin’ Bulldogs back into the game, cutting the lead to three points. A driving layup and free throw by DQ Nicholas tied the game 23-23 with 8:14 left.

From there, Gardner-Webb and Queens exchanged the lead two more times. Key contributions from Nicholas, Robinson, Shahar Lazar, and Quest Aldridge allowed GWU to keep pace. Chris Ashby tied the game on a three-pointer making it 42-42 at halftime.

Gardner-Webb and Queens went shot for shot to begin the second half with the game tied at 55 by the 15:03 minute mark. Queens went on a 9-2 run to build a seven-point lead.

The ’Dawgs clawed back into the game thanks to some key free-throws from DQ Nicholas and Lucas Stieber. Gardner-Webb was able to keep Queens from growing their cushion down the stretch. With 1:09 left to play, the game was tied 78-78.

Caleb Robinson answered a bucket from BJ McLaurin to make it 80 all. McLaurin scored the go-ahead three in the final 13 seconds to get the win 83-80.

Inside the Box Score

Gardner-Webb shot 80.6% from the free throw line, going 25-31. DQ Nicholas led the team with 18 points, going 12-12 from the line. Caleb Robinson was right behind him with 16 points. Lucas Stieber dropped a season-high 11 points for his first double-digit performance of the year. Shahar Lazar tallied 9 points, going 4-4 from the line, for his second-highest point total of the year.