JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – The Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team (13-6 overall, 3-3 ASUN) is set for an ASUN showdown against North Florida (7-11 overall, 2-4 ASUN) on Thursday night inside UNF Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST from UNF Arena and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN Plus.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Queens reached the century mark for the second time this season defeating North Alabama 107-78 behind a season-high 60 percent shooting clip from the field. Senior Kenny Dye led all scorers with 18 points while dishing out seven assists. AJ McKee poured in 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field and Jay'Den Turner scored 13 points in his first start since Dec. 20^th. BJ McLaurin and Chris Ashby combined for 30 points off the bench going 11-for-15 from the field. On the glass, the leagues leading rebounder Gavin Rains brought down 12 boards.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
Thursday night will mark the third overall meeting between the Royals and the Ospreys as the series is tied 1-1. The two programs haven't faced off since Dec. 16, 1995, when the Queens defeated North Florida 70-51 in Charlotte.
 
Game Notes
QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE (13-6 overall; 3-3 ASUN)

• Queens enters Thursday night averaging 81.4 points per game on 46 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent from behind the arc. The Royals rank first in the ASUN and amongst provisional schools in scoring offense.
• On defense, the Royals are allowing 73.9 points per game on 45 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent from behind the arc. Despite only forcing 11.4 turnovers per game, Queens ranks second in the league in steals per game with 7.3.
• Queens is 5-4 on the road this season, including a 4-2 mark in the last six games. In their four losses, the Royals have lost by an average of 8.5 points.
• Kenny Dye is the leader of the veteran Royals squad as the senior is averaging a team-high 17.0 points per game while hauling in 3.9 boards and dishing out 5.0 assists per game. The Royals are 108-26 when Dye is in the starting lineup as he is top three in points per game and first in assists per game in the league. Dye is 55 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 19 games. McKee remains the only player in the league to reach double figures in every game as he is averaging 18.0 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 10.5 rebounds per game. The forward leads the ASUN in rebounds per game and is top 10 in the country.
• BJ McLaurin and Kalib Mathews have been weapons for the Royals as the duo is averaging a combined 18.2 points on 51 percent shooting from the field. McLaurin is second in the ASUN in three-point field goal percentage at 53.8 percent as he has buried a three in six of the last seven games. Kalib Mathews has been a defensive nightmare for opponents swiping a team-best 28 steals and blocking a team-high 15 shots.
• Sharpshooter Chris Ashby has caught fire in league play from behind the arc as the sophomore is averaging 10.5 points per game against ASUN opponents. Ashby has reached double figures in the last three games and buried four or more three-pointers in that span.
• The Royals are 39-7 in the last two seasons when outrebounding their opponent. This year, Queens is second in the ASUN in rebounds per game with 40.2 and second in the league in offensive boards per game with 12.7. Queens has posted double-digit offensive rebounds in 15 games this season, including five of their last six games.

 
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA (7-11 overall; 2-4 ASUN)

• North Florida enters Thursday night 7-11 overall and 2-4 in league play. The Ospreys are riding a three-game conference losing streak which they will look to snap.
• The Ospreys are a perfect 6-0 at home this season.
• North Florida played a tough non-conference slate which featured #1 Houston, #2 Gonzaga, and #15/13 Kentucky.
• UNF is averaging 73.8 points per game on 43 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent from behind the arc. Despite the shooting struggles from deep, the Ospreys attempt the seventh most three-pointers in the nation.
• North Florida surrenders 77.9 points per game on 45 percent shooting from the field. The Ospreys protect the rim well averaging 3.6 blocks per game which is third-best in the ASUN.
• The Ospreys are led by ASUN Preseason All-Conference recipient, Carter Hendrickson. The senior forward leads the team in scoring at 14.5 points per game while grabbing 6.2 rebounds per game. Hendrickson has reached double figures in the last 10 games.
• Last season, North Florida posted an 11-20 overall record and a 7-9 mark in ASUN play. UNF was bounced in the first round of the ASUN Tournament by Lipscomb 74-65.
• Matthew Driscoll enters his 14^th season at the helm of the Ospreys. Under his direction, North Florida is 210-225.

 
Fans and families can purchase their tickets for Thursday night's game by visiting the North Florida Athletics website. The game will tip off at 7:00 PM from UNF Arena on ESPN Plus.

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.