CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team (12-6 overall, 2-3 ASUN) will look to snap a two-game losing skid on Saturday afternoon as the Royals welcome the University of North Alabama (9-9 overall, 1-4 ASUN) to Curry Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM EST from the Queen City and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN Plus.
 
LAST TIME OUT
For the first time since 2016, Queens lost consecutive home games as the Royals dropped a high-scoring shootout with Central Arkansas, 92-91. Despite the loss, AJ McKee poured in a season-high 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting while bringing down five rebounds. Gavin Rains turned in his 19^th career double-double, and fifth this season with an 11-point and 11-rebound performance. The visiting Bears shot lights out going 48 percent from behind the arc and 21-for-24 from the charity stripe.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
Saturday afternoon will mark the first meeting between the Royals and the Lions. North Alabama was notified in August that they completed all reclassification requirements and were elected to active Division 1 status effective with the 2022-23 year.
 
Game Notes
QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE (12-6 overall; 2-3 ASUN)

• Queens enters Thursday night averaging 79.9 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 73.7 points per game on 45 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent from behind the arc. Despite only forcing 11.5 turnovers per game, Queens ranks third in the league in steals per game with 7.3.
• The Royals are 5-2 inside Curry Arena this season and hold a 59-10 record in the last five seasons.
• Kenny Dye is the leader of the veteran Royals squad as the senior is averaging a team-high 16.9 points per game while hauling in 3.9 boards and dishing out 4.8 assists per game. The Royals are 107-26 when Dye is in the starting lineup as he is top three in points per game and assists per game in the ASUN. Dye is 62 assists away from tying the program record which was set by Donay Fullwood in 1991-95.
• AJ McKee has been a consistent producer this season reaching double figures in all 18 games. McKee is the only player in the league to reach double figures in every game as he is averaging 18.6 points per game against league opponents.
• Junior Gavin Rains has been a force on the block for the Royals to open the season. The Trinity, N.C. native is averaging 6.4 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 17.8 points on 50 percent shooting from the field. McLaurin leads the ASUN in three-point field goal percentage at 54.3 percent as he has buried a three in five of the last six games. Kalib Mathews has been a defensive nightmare for opponents swiping a team-best 27 steals and blocking a team-high 14 shots.
• The Royals are 38-7 in the last two seasons when outrebounding their opponent. This year, Queens is first in the ASUN in rebounds per game with 40.4 and second in the league in offensive boards per game with 13.0. Queens has posted double-digit offensive rebounds in 15 games this season, including their last six games.

 
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA (9-9 overall; 1-4 ASUN)

• North Alabama enters Saturday afternoon 9-9 overall and 1-4 in league play. The Lions will be looking to snap a four-game losing skid as they are 4-7 on the road this season.
• The Lions are averaging 73.8 points per game on 45 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent from behind the arc. North Alabama's field goal percentage is fifth best in the league while their three-point percentage is 69^th in the nation.
• North Alabama is surrendering 72.7 points per game on 45 percent shooting from the field.
• Daniel Ortiz and KJ Johnson are scoring a combined 22.9 points while grabbing 6.0 rebounds per game. Johnson transferred to UNA from Lipscomb and eclipsed 1,000 career points earlier in the season.
• Jacari Lane has been a key newcomer for North Alabama as the freshman was named ASUN Newcomer of the Week on Dec. 26^th. Lane helped the Lions take down Ole Miss behind a 19-point performance with five assists and two steals. This season, Lane is averaging 10.4 points on 53 percent shooting from the field.
• Last season, North Alabama posted a 9-21 overall record and a 2-14 mark in league play as they fell to Florida Gulf Coast in the opening round of the ASUN Tournament. Since joining the ASUN in 2018-19, North Alabama is 25-43 against league opponents.
• Tony Pujol enters his fifth season at the helm of the Bears. Under his direction, Central Arkansas is 54-80.

 
Fans and families can purchase their tickets for Saturday afternoon's game by visiting the Queens Athletics website. The game will tip off at 1:00 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.