December 3, 2014

Charlotte, NC- "I know my team look's at me as a leader, so I know I have to be that way from start to end". That is what Preseason All-CIAA Junior Eric Dubose said toward the victory over Queens College Wednesday night. Dubose grabbed 28 points and pulled down two rebounds to lead the Blue Bears to a 73-71 nail-biting win over the 1-5 overall Queen University Royals Wednesday (Dec. 3) inside Curry Arena. The Blue Bears are now 5-1 on the year after wrapping up the ECSU Weekend Thanksgiving Classic.

Dubose made an immediate impact versus the Royals, posting with 12 at the half and scoring a team-high 28 points total, to lead the team into victory.

A pair of dynamic contributors helped aid the scoring effort for the game. Eric Mayo and Ty Newman both matched out at 12 points for the contest. Mayo hit some crucial free throws to start the game and blocked two critical shots, midway through the first half of the game. Mayofinished with a double-double pulling down 11 rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
Newman came alive in the second half, scoring 10 of his 12 points, knocking down six straight points in the paint, decreasing the score deficit by one.

The lead changed five times for the Blue Bears with their largest being by five points in the first half.The two teams traded baskets the entire night, fighting to maintain a consistent lead.

The Royals led by as many as 11 in the second half with only 5:04 left on the clock but free throws were the key to the win tonight for the Blue Bears. Dubose and Newman kept the game alive, knocking down much needed free throws and easy underneath baskets to pull the deficit in by four points with just 3:00 left to play.

The game tied at 71-71 with 23 seconds left in the half, but a missed free throw by Royals Rob Lewis, gave the blue and black the ball back with a chance to win the game.

Dubose drew a foul in the paint and the rest is history as the Blue Bears went onto win by two, with a score of 73-71.

The Blue Bears dominated from the free throw line shooting 70.8 % (17-24) compared to the 57.9 % (11-19) that the Royals knocked down.

Dubose shot a perfect 5-5 from the free throw line, giving the Blue Bears the edge needed to enclose on the relentless victory.

The Blue Bears take a week break, but next up they travel to Atlanta, GA to face the 1-3 Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College. Tip-off is set for 7:00 P.M...

For more information on Blue Bear athletic news, please visit the website at www.bluebearathletics.com

Written By: Tenai Staley