CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The No. 16/22 Queens University of Charlotte (14-3, 10-3 SAC) men's basketball team will look to secure the season sweep of the Mars Hill Lions (4-10, 4-7 SAC) when they battle inside Curry Arena tomorrow, Jan. 22. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. The Royals are coming off an incredible 88-85 overtime victory at Tusculum on Wednesday night to keep pace at the top of the South Atlantic Conference standings. Following Saturday night's action, Queens will head to Gaffney, S.C. for a conference clash at Limestone on Monday, Jan. 24 beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Monday night action is a rescheduled date from earlier in the season due to COVID-19 protocols.

Saturday evening marks the 22^nd all-time meeting between Queens and Mars Hill, with the Royals owning a 16-5 series lead. Queens and Mars Hill will complete their regular season series this weekend after the Royals cruised past the Lions 95-80 on Dec. 4. In that meeting, three Royals reached 20 points as Jay'Den Turner led the way with a career-high 21 points and 16 rebounds. Kenny Dye and Jamari Smith would both add 20 points while Dye also contributed seven rebounds and four assists. Queens dominated the post recording 19 offensive rebounds while securing 60 points in the paint. The Royals hold a 12-game winning streak against Mars Hill heading into Saturday's meeting as Queens has not lost to the Lions since Feb. 14, 2015.

Quick Facts (Game Notes)
Queens University of Charlotte (14-3, 10-3 South Atlantic Conference)

• In the season opener against Young Harris, the Royals set a new program record with 133 points scored as eight Royals finished with double figures.
• Head Coach Bart Lundy picked up his 400^th career victory in the dominant season opener. Lundy is in his 14^th season at Queens and 20^th season overall as a collegiate head coach.
• The Royals are coming off a statement overtime victory, 88-85 at Tusculum on Wednesday night. Kenny Dye hit double figures for the 14^th time this season leading the Royals with 24 points which ties his season-high. Jamari Smith earned his eighth career double-double and third this season with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
• Queens is a perfect 12-0 this season when leading at the half and 13-0 when dropping at least 80 points. When the Royals shoot better than 45-percent, they are 10-0 this year.
• Following a dominant season last year, Jamari Smith has returned to the Royals lineup and leads the team in scoring with 16.2 points per game while hauling in 6.2 rebounds per game.
• Queens has been efficient distributing the ball this season as six Royals are averaging at least eight points. Veteran guard Kenny Dye facilitates the offense and is top 25 in the nation in assists per game with 5.6 while also adding 15.4 points per game. Dye posted a 14 point and 10 assist double-double in the win over Anderson on Jan. 12.
• Crashing the glass continues to be a priority for Bart Lundy's team as they are sixth in the country with 14.69 offensive rebounds per game. Gavin Rains has been physical on the block pulling down 8.1 rebounds per contest, including a league-best 3.5 offensive boards.
• The Royals are No. 19 in the nation in scoring offense averaging 86.2 points per game.
• Queens has been efficient shooting the deep ball as Kenny Dye leads the conference draining 55-percent of his three-point opportunities.
• Queens has displayed their depth as nine Royals are averaging at least 13.0 minutes per game.
• Junior guard Kenny Dye notched his 1,000th career point in the 80-72 victory over Wingate on Dec. 15. Dye became the 19th player in program history to hit the 1K mark.
• The Royals opened the new season with a dominant 133-80 victory over Young Harris. The milestone victory was head coach Bart Lundy's 400th career win and the most points scored in program history.
• Jamari Smith and Kenny Dye were both named to the 2022 Bevo Francis Top 100 Watch List, as announced by Small College Basketball on Saturday, Jan. 15. The award is presented to one player who had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball.

 
Mars Hill University (4-10, 4-7 SAC)

• Mars Hill enters Saturday night's contest on a six-game losing streak dating back to their loss against Queens on Dec. 4. The Lions schedule over those six games has not been easy as their opponents hold a combined 73-28 overall record. All six contests were South Atlantic Conference games, including bouts with Queens, Lincoln Memorial, Tusculum, Wingate, Carson-Newman, and Anderson. Five out of the six opponents currently sit in the top five of the conference standings.
• Mars Hill is 2-5 on the season in games away from Stanford Arena. The Lions enter Saturday night averaging 77.6 points per game on 43-percent shooting from the field and 30-percent from behind the arc. On the defensive end, the Lions are giving up 79.5 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot 45-percent from the field and 32-percent from deep. Mars Hill is prone to turn the ball over averaging just under 16.0 per game which is second worst in the conference.
• The Lions are led by senior forward Isayah Johnson who is averaging 13.7 points per game while hauling in a league-best 8.2 rebounds per contest. Kadyn Dawkins is the leading scorer for Mars Hill averaging 15.9 points per outing across 28.4 minutes.
• Mars Hill possesses a deep squad as eight players are averaging at least 10.0 minutes per game.
• Head Coach Vic Finora is in his fourth season as the Lions head coach. Finora has led the Lions to a 26-52 overall record.
• Mars Hill was picked to finish No. 12 in the SAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll.

Be sure to follow the Royals men's basketball program on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date on all the latest news and updates surrounding the team. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media @QueensAthletics to follow all of the Royals sports in action.