Live Audio: Queens Sports Network
Phil Constantino (pxp)

Live Video: MIAA Network

Live Stats

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The seventh-ranked Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team (1-0) meets Northern State University (0-1) in a rematch of last year's national semifinal game on Sunday evening in the final game of the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic presented by Hillyard. This will mark the second all-time meeting between the Royals and the Wolves, after Northern State edged Queens, 105-99, in a double overtime thriller to close last season.

Opening tipoff from St. Joseph Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Missouri, is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. eastern.
 
Quick Facts
No. 7 Queens Royals (1-0)
(Game Notes)

-Queens used a 20-0 run to seize control and defeat William Jewell College, 101-87, in its season opener on Saturday afternoon. Shaun Willett recorded his fourth career double-double while tying a career-high with 19 points, and setting a new career-high with 16 rebounds. Daniel Carr tied a career-high with 17 points and posted a new career-high with 8 assists. Jachai Taylor scored 13 points with nine rebounds in his Queens debut. Armoni Lee and Van Turner Jr., also making their first appearance with the Royals, each scored 15 points.

-Queens was ranked No. 7 nationally in the NABC/Division II Preseason Rankings marking the fourth consecutive year in which the Royals cracked the top 10 of the official coaches' poll. Queens has been featured in the rankings in every regular-season poll for the last 45 weeks, dating back to Nov. 24, 2015, the first poll of the 2015-2016 season.

-The Royals were picked No. 2 in the Conference's preseason poll receiving four first-place votes and 104 total points. The Royals were voted second only to Lincoln Memorial University who garnered seven first-place votes and 107 total points.

-Queens returned five letter winners from last year's regional championship team; Lewis Diankulu (17.2 MPG, 8.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG), Willett (14.8 MPG, 9.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG), Carr (19.3 MPG, 7.1 PPG, 2.6 APG), Josh Brodowicz and Jonathan Horodyski. Diankulu is the only returning starter, while Carr (2) and Willett (1) both started at least one game last season. Diankulu, Carr, and Willett all saw time in all 36 contests.

-Willett and Carr were named preseason second-team all-conference selections, as voted by the League's coaches.

-The Royals add 10 newcomers to its quintet of returners for the 2018-2019 season. The class includes Division I transfer Jachai Taylor from Murray State University, Division II transfer Blake Morrow (12.7 PPG) from Eckerd College, junior college transfers Brandon Faison, Armoni Lee, Van Turner Jr, and Kevion Blaylock, and freshmen Jamari Smith, Jermaine Patterson, Kenny Dye and Chris Parks. Both Smith and Patterson were named their respective states' Players of the Year in high school.

-Head Coach Bart Lundy is in his sixth season since returning to Queens and his 11^th overall at the helm in Charlotte. In 17 years as a head coach in Division I and II, Lundy has posted an overall record of 329-168 (.661 win pct.) and a record at Queens of 233-81 (.741 win pct.). Lundy has led Queens to all three of its Elite Eight appearances.

Northern State Wolves (0-1)
(Game Notes)

-Northern State fell in its season opener, 72-70, in overtime to No. 5 Northwest Missouri State University after relinquishing the lead with 24 seconds left in regulation. NSU held its largest lead of eight points with 6:12 left in the first half and led by six at halftime. Ian Smith led three Wolves in double figures with 15 points, while tallying a team high six assists. Parker Fox scored 14 points, and recorded the first double-double of his career with a team high 12 rebounds. Bo Fries totaled 11 points.

-Northern State entered this season off of its most successful year in program history. The 2017-2018 team finished 36-4, setting a program record for wins, and won the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular-season and postseason titles. After winning the Central Region title and qualifying for the Elite Eight for the second time overall, the Wolves lost Ferris State University in the National Championship Game, 71-69, in a game that came down to the final possession.

-NSU returns eight letter winners and two starters from last year's championship team, Smith and Gabe King. Smith, who was named a first-team all-conference selection and an all-region selection by two outlets, averaged 12.6 points per game. King, who started 38 of 40 games, averaged 8.4 points per.

-Head Coach Paul Sather, a 1996 alumnus of Northern State in his ninth season at the helm, was named the NSIC and NCAA Central Region Coach of the Year. He holds an overall record of 162-83.