OPENING TIP
Score: North Florida 93 | Queens 79
Records: North Florida (14-13, 7-5 ASUN) | Queens (10-17, 4-8 ASUN)
Location: Curry Arena (Charlotte, N.C.)
 
THE SHORT STORY: Despite a second-straight 30 point output from AJ McKee, the Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team suffered a tough loss to the University of North Florida inside Curry Arena on Wednesday night.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Junior guard AJ McKee led the Royals charge offensively pouring in a game-high 30 points on 50 percent shooting from the field. The Charlotte native stuffed the stat sheet grabbing six rebounds and dishing out a team-leading four assists. The 30-point total marked McKee's second consecutive game eclipsing the 30-point mark as he moved into seventh all-time in scoring in program history.
• Highflying junior Kalib Matthews totaled a season-high 14 points in his second start of the season. The guard also hauled in a team-high and career-high seven rebounds while dishing out two assists and swiping two steals.
• BJ McLaurin and Bryce Cash earned their 27^th and 26^th starts, respectively. The duo combined to score 16 points, grab 10 rebounds, and dish out six assists.
• Rookie Kobe George provided a boost off the bench for the Royals netting seven points on 3-of-6 shooting across 12 minutes of action. The seven points were the most in league play for the Greensboro native this season.
• For the Ospreys, guard Chaz Lanier led the way with 29 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Lanier reached the 20-point threshold for the 13^th time this season.
• North Florida lived up to their standard as the nation's most consistent three-point shooting team nailing 13-of-34 shots from downtown.

NOTABLE MOMENTS

• The two teams exchanged runs early as the Royals responded to an early Osprey run with a 10-0 run of their own, taking a 12-11 lead. However, the Ospreys quickly responded with a 12-0 run to jump out to a 23-11 lead. North Florida would remain in control the rest of the half as they took a 47-32 lead into the break.
• The Ospreys would continue their strong play in the second half as the visitors extended their lead to as large as 23 points.
• The Royals would claw their way back trimming the lead to as little as 12 points. However, late free throws by the Ospreys put the game out of reach for the hosting Royals as they secured the decisive 93-79 victory.

 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• After shooting 35 percent from the field in the opening half, the Royals found their groove in the second half shooting 54 percent from the field.
• North Florida proved opportunistic grabbing 13 offensive rebounds and turning it into 19 second chance points.
• The Royals fell to 0-7 on the season when giving up 10 or more three-point field goals.
• The Ospreys defended the paint with authority totaling eight blocks on the night.

 
NEXT UP
The Royals will look to bounce back Friday night as they host Jacksonville University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN Plus.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow Queens Men's Basketball on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok for news and updates throughout the season. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media to stay up to date on all the Royals sports in action.