CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team (12-5 overall, 2-2 ASUN) will look to get back on track Thursday night as the Royals welcome the University of Central Arkansas (5-12 overall, 0-4 ASUN) to Curry Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST from the Queen City and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN Plus.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Royals suffered their first loss inside Curry Arena since Dec. 1, 2021, as Queens fell to Kennesaw State 76-67. The Royals struggled offensively in the first half only scoring 23 points which was the lowest output in a given half by Queens this season. The Royals went on a 10-minute scoring drought from the field as the first half concluded. Despite the loss, AJ McKee reached double figures for the 17^th straight game with a team-high 17 points while bringing down a season-high eight rebounds across a season-best 37 minutes of action. Chris Ashby took a season-high 13 three-point attempts as he finished with 15 points.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
Thursday night will be the first meeting between the Royals and the Bears. Central Arkansas enters its second season in the ASUN while the Royals embark on their first season.
 
Game Notes
QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE (12-5 overall; 2-2 ASUN)

• Queens enters Thursday night averaging 79.3 points per game on 45 percent shooting from the field and 34 percent from behind the arc. The Royals rank second in the ASUN in scoring offense and first amongst provisional schools reclassifying to D1.
• On defense, the Royals are allowing 72.6 points per game on 45 percent shooting from the field and 32 percent from behind the arc. The Royals' perimeter defense is third-best in the ASUN behind Jacksonville and Austin Peay.
• The Royals are 5-1 inside Curry Arena this season and hold a 59-9 record in the last five seasons.
• Kenny Dye is the leader of the veteran Royals squad as the senior is averaging a team-high 17.1 points per game while hauling in 4.1 boards and dishing out 4.8 assists per game. The Royals are 107-25 when Dye is in the starting lineup as he is top three in points per game and assists per game in the ASUN.
• Dye dished out his 600^th career assist against the Owls. The senior is 12^th in career assists amongst active players.
• AJ McKee has been a consistent producer this season reaching double figures in all 17 games. McKee is the only player in the league to reach double figures in every game and he is averaging 18.2 points per game in the last five games.
• Junior Gavin Rains has been a force on the block for the Royals to open the season. The Trinity, N.C. native is averaging 6.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. The forward leads the ASUN in rebounds per game and is top 15 in the country.
• BJ McLaurin and Kalib Mathews have been weapons for the Royals as the duo is averaging a combined 17.7 points on 49 percent shooting from the field. McLaurin leads the ASUN in three-point field goal percentage at 52.9 percent while Mathews is top 10 in steals per game.
• The Royals are 38-6 in the last two seasons when outrebounding their opponent. This year, Queens is first in the ASUN in rebounds per game with 40.5 and second in the league in offensive boards per game with 13.2. Queens has posted double-digit offensive rebounds in 15 games this season, including their last five.

 
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS (5-12 overall; 0-4 ASUN)

• Central Arkansas enters Thursday night 5-12 overall and 0-4 in league play. The Bears will be looking to snap an eight-game losing skid as they are 0-8 on the road this season.
• Central Arkansas is averaging 72.7 points per game on 41 percent shooting from the field and 32 percent from behind the arc. The Bears rank 10^th in the league in scoring offense and last in field goal percentage and three-point percentage.
• Central Arkansas is surrendering 80.7 points per game which is the most points given up in the league as opponents are shooting 47 percent from the field and 36 percent from deep.
• This season, the Bears are being outrebounded by 1.1 boards per game as they pull down 38.4 rebounds per game.
• UCA is top 25 in the nation in three-point attempts per game as the Bears attempt 26.5 deep balls.
• Camren Hunter is the leader of the Bears' offense scoring 16.4 points while grabbing 5.0 rebounds per game. Hunter is third in the league in scoring as he was named ASUN Player of the Week on Dec. 12^th.
• Eddy Kayouloud is averaging 13.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game as the senior is shooting 46 percent from the field.
• Last season, Central Arkansas finished 11-20 overall and 7-9 in league play as they fell in the second round of the ASUN Tournament.
• Brock Widders will be leading the Bears program moving forward as the acting head coach after Anthony Boone underwent successful heart surgery earlier in the month. Under Boone, Central Arkansas is 30-63.

 
Fans and families can purchase their tickets for Thursday night's game by visiting the Queens Athletics website. The game will tip off at 7:00 PM from Curry Arena on ESPN Plus. Media members looking to attend should fill out the credential request form.

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.