CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team (12-2, 8-2 SAC) kicked off 2022 convincingly by defeating Lenoir Rhyne University (3-10, 2-8 SAC), 71- 56, inside Curry Arena. The double-digit victory marks their fifth straight as they keep pace at the top of the South Atlantic Conference standings.

Both Queens and Lenoir-Rhyne were solid on defense early, as both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net. After the Royals took an 8-7 lead, the Bears went on an 8-2 run, including two-made three pointers to take a 15-10 advantage over the Royals with 12:05 to play.

The visitors would continue to keep the Royals at arms distance using their stifling defense to keep the Royals offense at bay. The Bears took their largest lead of the game, 24-16, with 4:36 remaining in the first half. However, the Royals found their footing on offense and closed out the half on a 10-0 run to take a 26-24 lead into the break.

After the Royals scored two quick baskets to extend their lead to 30-24, the Bears came storming back using a 9-1 run to take a 33-31 lead with 16:10 left to play. Head Coach Bart Lundy amped up the defensive pressure and the Royals went on a 16-0 run to take a 47-33 lead. The Royals would never trail in the game again, as they staved off the Bears' attempts to retake the lead. The Royals would extend their lead to as much as 17 points as they outscored Lenoir-Rhyne in the second half 45-32.

Jamari Smith led the Royals with 17 points and 11 rebounds, as he recorded his seventh career double-double in a Royals uniform. Queens displayed their depth as ten Royals recorded a bucket on the evening. The Royals bench would manage to outscore the Bears 28-10, including a valuable 10 point and six rebound effort from BJ McLaurin.

Queens was dominant on the glass, as they outrebounded the Bears 43-27 on the night including 11 offensive rebounds. The Royals remain top five in the nation in offensive rebounds per game hauling in 15.0 per contest. The Royals defense was stifling on the night as they held the Bears to an impressive 35-percent from the field and 27-percent from behind the arc.

The Royals return to action next Wednesday night, January 12^th, against Anderson University inside Curry Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Queens Sports Network. 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.