WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team picked up its first win of the 2020-21 season on Friday evening, defeating NCAA Division I Howard University 85-71 on day two of the Paradise Jam from the Walter E. Washington Event Center.
 
The Royals (1-1) fell behind early but a layup by sophomore Gavin Rains put his team ahead 7-6 with 17:12 to play in the first half and Queens remained in front for the remainder of the contest.
 
Queens' largest lead of the half came with 5:58 to play as a layup from junior Kavan Hill extended the advantage to 35-16. Behind a 55.6 percent shooting performance, the Royals led 47-32 after the opening half of play.
 
Sophomore Jay'Den Turner kicked off the second half of play with a layup and sparked an 11-5 run to move the edge to 58-37 on back-to-back free throws from Rains. Freshman Justin Thomas converted an and-1 play with 10:07 remaining to put the Royals ahead by 22 before Hill hit one of two free throws with 8:51 to play for Queens' largest lead of 23 points.
 
The Royals scored 25 points off of 18 Howard (0-2) turnovers and shot 51.6 percent from the floor as well as 53.8 percent (7-for-13) from 3-point range.
 
Junior Kenny Dye led all scorers, recording 16 points to go along with a game-high seven assists and three steals. Rains followed with 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks while holding five-star recruit Makur Maker to 12 points on the defensive end of the floor.
 
Thomas totaled 11 points in 15 minutes off of the bench and junior Kelyn Pennie had 10 points, making 3-of-4 3-point attempts, to round out the double-digit scorers for Queens. Fellow junior Malcolm chipped in nine points, five rebounds and four assists and redshirt freshman AJ McKee scored eight points of his own.
 
Queens concludes the Paradise Jam tomorrow afternoon against Belmont University at Noon on ESPN3.