CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team (2-0) will hit the road for their first Division 1 road test of the season when they take on the La Salle Explorers (1-1) on Tuesday night inside Tom Gola Arena at the TruMark Financial Center. The Tuesday tilt will be the first of a three-game road stand as the Royals will head to Montego Bay, Jamaica for the 2022 Jersey Mike's Jamaica Classic over the weekend.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Royals remained unbeaten to start the new era as they took down Clinton College on Thursday afternoon inside Curry Arena. In the victory, all 12 Royals contributed to the scoring total as Kenny Dye led the way with a team-high 14 points. Junior forward Gavin Rains turned in his second straight double-double dropping in 12 points and pulling down 13 rebounds. Queens displayed their depth against the Golden Bears as the Royals bench outscored Clinton 47-17. BJ McLaurin and Trey Hubbard would spark the bench points combining for 22 points.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
Tuesday night will mark the first meeting between Queens and La Salle.
 
Game Notes
QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE (2-0 overall; 0-0 ASUN)

• Queens has opened the year 2-0 for the 18^th time in program history. The Royals are averaging 22 wins in seasons which they begin 2-0.
• Against A-10 opponents, the Royals hold a 1-1 mark. Queens fell to George Mason by a final score of 66-65 in the season opener at the Paradise Jam in 2020-21. In 2016-17, Queens took down VCU in an exhibition 75-73.
• Junior Gavin Rains has been a force on the block for the Royals to open the season. The Trinity, N.C. native is averaging a 13.0 point and 13.0 rebound double-double. In his career, Rains has 16 double-doubles.
• Senior Kenny Dye is the leader of the veteran Royals squad. Dye is averaging a team-high 19.0 points per game while hauling in 6.0 board and dishing out 7.0 assists per game. The Royals are 97-20 when Dye is in the starting lineup.
• Queens returns 72-percent of their scoring offense from a season ago which won 32 games and reached the NCAA Sweet 16.
• The Royals are outrebounding opponents this season 96-72. In the last two years, Queens is 29-4 when they win the rebounding margin.
• Queens has finished with a winning record for the last 12 seasons dating back to 2009-10.
• The Royals have eight high school state champions on their team, including Kenny Dye, Jay'Den Turner, AJ McKee, Mike Fowler, Kalib Mathews, Elijah Wyche, Logan Threatt, and Cameron Liggins.

 
LA SALLE EXPLORERS (1-1 overall; 0-0 A-10)

• La Salle enters Tuesday night with a 1-1 record, including a 77-69 homecoming victory over Wagner on Saturday. The Explorers dropped the season opener at Villanova 81-68 on Nov. 7^th.
• The Explorers are scoring 72.5 points per game behind a 42-percent shooting percentage. Opponents are scoring 75.0 points per game on 45-percent shooting, including a 45-percent mark from behind the arc.
• La Salle is led by senior guard Josh Nickelberry. The Fayetteville, N.C. native is averaging 21.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Nickelberry, a transfer from Louisville, poured in a team-high 22 points in the opener with the Wildcats.
• La Salle was picked to finish 14^th in the A-10 Preseason Coaches Poll following an 11-13 finish last season.
• In the offseason, the Explorers hired La Salle alum Fran Dunphy to be their next head coach. Dunphy has sent 17 teams to the NCAA Tournament over his 30 year career as he holds a 581-325 career record.

 
Fans and families can purchase their tickets in advance by visiting the La Salle website. Fans can also tune in live on ESPN Plus or follow the live stats here.
 
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.