POST GAME INTERVIEW WITH HEAD COACH BART LUNDY

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – For the fourth time in the last five seasons, the No. 16/17 Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team is advancing to the finals of the SAC Pilot Flying J Championships following an 88-67 victory over Lenoir-Rhyne University in the semifinals from Curry Arena.
 
The top-seeded Royals improved to 16-4 overall after shooting 53.2 percent from the floor and out-rebounding the fifth-seeded Bears (9-7) by a 50-29 margin. Queens dominated the paint, scoring 50 points down low, as redshirt-sophomore Jamari Smith led the way with 20 points in just 19 minutes of action and sophomore Gavin Rains collected his sixth double-double of the year with 11 points and 12 rebounds to go along with two blocks.
 
Queens and Lenoir-Rhyne played to an 8-8 tie across the game's first four minutes, but a 13-1 run for the Royals opened up a double-digit lead, 21-9, that Queens never relinquished. The advantage grew as large as a 31-point margin, 52-21, late in the first half following a dunk from sophomore Jay'Den Turner as the Royals carried a 52-25 lead into intermission.
 
In the second half, once again pushed the margin to 31 points, 64-33, following a 3-pointer from Smith with 15:13 left to play. The final result was never in doubt as Lenoir-Rhyne was unable to get any closer than a 17-point deficit.
 
Junior Quan McCluney finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, while fellow junior Kenny Dye registered 14 points and six assists. Turner came off the bench to tally six points and nine rebounds of his own.
 
The Royals will host third-seeded Carson-Newman University on Sunday, March 7 in the Championship game at 4 p.m. in the Queen City. Fans can watch the action live on the Queens Sports Network or tune into ESPN 730 The Game for live audio coverage beginning at 3:45 p.m.