CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team is set to welcome in-state foe Gardner-Webb on Wednesday night inside Curry Arena. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. on ESPN Plus.
 
GAMEDAY GUIDE
Dates: November 29, 2023
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Curry Arena (Charlotte, N.C.)
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THE MATCHUP
Wednesday night marks the fifth all-time meeting between Queens and Gardner-Webb, and the first since November 18, 1995. The series is split 2-2 with the Royals defeating the Runnin' Bulldogs 76-62 in the last meeting. Queens holds a 34-18 all-time record against current Big South opponents
 
SCOUTING THE ROYALS (3-4 overall, 0-0 ASUN)

• Queens is coming off a 90-61 loss at the University of Richmond on Saturday night. The 29-point loss was the largest since March 13, 2016. Deyton Albury led the charge with a career-high 22 points while also bringing down eight rebounds matching his career-best. AJ McKee reached double figures for the ninth consecutive game and pulled down a season-high eight rebounds.
• The Royals return home to Curry Arena where they are 12-1 in home non-conference games, including a perfect 6-0 mark in Division 1.
• The Royals explosive offense against the Knights produced 97 points, a mark that they haven't hit since January 14, 2023, against North Alabama. Queens improved to 35-5 over the last two seasons when reaching the 80-point threshold.
• Preseason All-Conference recipient AJ McKee anchors the Royals offense and is averaging 17.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. The Charlotte native sits fifth in the league in scoring and fourth in steals.
• Junior guard Deyton Albury has put together a solid start to his first campaign in the Queen City. The Nassau, Bahamas native is coming off a career-high 22 points and eight rebounds against Richmond. On the year, Albury is top 10 in the league in scoring, field goal percentage, and assists.
• Senior BJ McLaurin has started all seven games on the block for the Royals. The forward has reached double figures in three games this year, including a season-high 18 points against High Point. In that game, McLaurin eclipsed 1,000 career points and then followed it up with a career-high 12 rebounds against Fairfield at the Market Street Challenge.
• The Royals are one of the nation's quickest teams averaging 71.5 possessions per 40 minutes, according to KenPom which is 73^rd in the country.
• Winning the battle on the boards is a part of the Royals identity. In Division 1, Queens is 18-6 when outrebounding their opponent and 3-12 when losing the battle on the glass. This season, Queens is sixth in rebounds per game, a category which they were second in last season.
• The Royals are one of the league's most efficient teams at getting to the free-throw line. Deyton Albury and AJ McKee sit top 15 in the league in free throw percentage. Queens is 13-6 in non-conference Division 1 games in which they attempt more free throws than their opponent.

 
SCOUTING THE RUNNIN' BULLDOGS (3-3 overall, 0-0 Big South Conference)

• Gardner-Webb enters Wednesday night 3-3 overall and coming off a 92-51 victory over Limestone on Saturday. Four different Bulldogs reached double figures as DQ Nicholas led the charge with 15 points and six assists.
• Gardner-Webb is 0-2 this season and 22-42 on the road over the last five seasons. Both losses on the road were at #14 Arkansas and #20 Baylor.
• The Runnin' Bulldogs have been challenged this season with the 14^th hardest strength of schedule according to KenPom.
• Julien Soumaoro leads all scorers with 14.0 points on 44-percent shooting from the field.
• Preseason All-Conference selection DQ Nicholas has started all seven games this season and is averaging 7.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
• Gardner-Webb hoists the 42^nd best perimeter defense in the country as opponents are shooting 27-percent from behind the arc.
• Gardner-Webb was picked to finished fourth in the Big South Preseason Poll after posting a 15-16 overall record last season.
• Tim Craft enters his 11^th season at the helm of the program. Under his direction, Gardner-Webb is 174-154.

 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Royals will have a quick turnaround as they welcome Carolina Christian College on Friday, December 1^st. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. inside Curry Arena and the game will be broadcast on ESPN Plus. Fans can secure their tickets in advance by visiting the Queens Athletics website.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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