CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team is geared up to welcome in-state foe Appalachian State University on Wednesday, December 13^th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. inside Curry Arena and the game will be broadcast on ESPN Plus.
 
GAMEDAY GUIDE
Dates: December 13, 2023
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Curry Arena (Charlotte, N.C.)
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THE MATCHUP
Wednesday night will mark the first meeting between Queens and Appalachian State, two programs that are separated by 104 miles.
 
SCOUTING THE ROYALS (6-5 overall, 0-0 ASUN)

• Queens is coming off a dominant 112-64 victory over Carolina University on Saturday afternoon. In the win, all 12 eligible Royals recorded a bucket and five Royals reached double figures. Chris Ashby led the charge with a game-high 21 points connecting on 7-of-11 three pointers. The Royals shot a season-high 61 percent from the field, including a season-best 65 percent in the first half.
• The 112 points from the Royals are tied for sixth all-time, and the second most in the Division 1 era. Queens broke the single-game scoring record on December 1^st when they ousted Carolina Christian 134-69.
• Queens is 5-0 at home this season marking the second straight year to do so. The Royals are looking to make their first 6-0 start at home since 2017-18.
• Distributing the ball is key for the Royals as they are 5-2 on the year when dishing out 15+ assists as a team. Queens ranks fourth in the ASUN in assists as Deyton Albury leads the way with 5.0 per game, a mark that is also fourth-best in the league.
• The Royals display one of the quickest offenses in the ASUN averaging 82.3 points per game which is third most in the league. The Royals rank 28^th in adjusted tempo by KenPom.
• Saturday afternoon saw five Royals reach double figures for the second time this season. Chris Ashby, Deyton Albury, BJ McLaurin, AJ McKee, and Jacobi Sebock turned in double figures.
• Preseason All-Conference recipient AJ McKee anchors the Royals offense and is averaging 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. The Charlotte native sits fifth in the league in scoring and third 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 top 10 in the league in scoring, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and assists. Albury turned in his first career double-double as a Royal with a 20-point and 10-assist performance against Winthrop.
• Senior BJ McLaurin has started all 11 games on the block for the Royals. The forward has reached double figures in six games this year, including a career-high 24 points against Gardner-Webb. McLaurin turned in his second double-double of the season after scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds against Winthrop.
• The Royals sport one of the best perimeter defenses in the conference holding opponents to a 29 percent clip which is fourth-best in the league. Against Gardner-Webb, the Royals held the visitors to a 3-for-17 mark from behind the arc, including an 0-for-6 clip in the second half.
• Winning the battle on the boards is a part of the Royals identity. In Division 1, Queens is 21-7 when outrebounding their opponent and 3-12 when losing the battle on the glass. This season, Queens is third in rebounds per game pulling down 40.8 boards per outing.
• The Royals are one of the league's most efficient teams at getting to the free-throw line. Deyton Albury, AJ McKee, and BJ McLaurin sit top 20 in the league in free throw percentage. Albury and McKee occupy the first and third spots. Queens is 14-6 in non-conference Division 1 games in which they attempt more free throws than their opponent.

 
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS (7-2 overall, 0-0 Sun Belt)

• Appalachian State enters Wednesday night on a six-game winning streak with their last loss coming on November 14^th at Oregon State in overtime.
• The Mountaineers will be searching for their first true road victory of the season as they are 0-2 on the year away from Boone.
• Last Sunday, the Mountaineers welcomed Auburn to the Holmes Convocation Center and ousted the Tigers 69-64. Heading into that meeting, the Tigers were receiving votes in the national polls.
• App State presents a physical test to the Royals as the visitors rank fifth in the nation in rebounds per game at 45.2. The Mountaineers also sit second in the country in blocks per game with 7.1.
• Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team recipient Gregory Donovan leads the Mountaineers averaging 13.0 points per game. The Charlotte native has reached double figures six times this season.
• Sophomore Justin Abson is bringing down 7.2 rebounds per game and sits top five in the nation blocking 3.0 shots per game. Against Oregon State, the forward posted a double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and six blocks.
• Appalachian State was picked to finish second in the Sun Belt Preseason Coaches Poll following a 16-16 overall record last year.
• Dustin Kerns is in his fifth season at the helm of the Mountaineers program. Under his direction, the Mountaineers are 77-60.

 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Royals will head on the road through the new year with four straight road contests. Queens will head south to Mercer for a non-conference clash with the Bears on Tuesday, December 19^th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on ESPN Plus. Fans can purchase their tickets in advance by visiting the Mercer Athletics website.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow the Royals on Twitter, Instagram, and Tik Tok. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media to stay up to date on all the Royals sports in action.