OPENING TIP
Score: Queens 74 | Jacksonville 65
Records: Queens (11-17, 5-8 ASUN) | Jacksonville (13-14, 4-0 ASUN)
Location: Curry Arena (Charlotte, N.C.)
 
THE SHORT STORY: Behind a double-double from Jaxon Pollard and a tenacious defensive effort, the Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team scored a huge bounce back victory in a crucial swing ASUN tilt against Jacksonville University inside Curry Arena.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Junior forward Jaxon Pollard brought the intensity for the Royals on Friday evening recording his first career double-double with 11 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. The Cedar Hills, Utah natives' relentless effort for a career-high 30 minutes was vital in the victory for the Royals.
• AJ McKee poured in a team-high 19 points on 50 percent shooting from the field. The Charlotte native remains Queens' most consistent scorer as he has eclipsed double-digit points in 27-of-28 contests this season.
• Nassau native Deyton Albury totaled 12 points in his return to the lineup for the Royals. The junior guard also added four rebounds and three assists across 26 minutes of action.
• Freshman Bryce Cash continued to play a key role for the Royals as the rookie stuffed the stat sheet scoring eight points, grabbing five rebounds, dishing out two assists, and swiping three steals.
• Sharpshooter Chris Ashby buried three clutch shots from downtown totaling nine points. The junior is up to 76 three pointers on the year and ranks top five in the league in perimeter shooting.
• For the Dolphins, Wake Forest transfer Robert McCray V led the way with 22 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
• Queens was locked in all evening on the defensive end holding the visitors to a 36 percent clip from the field. The mark was the second-lowest performance by a Royals league opponent this year.
• The Royals capitalized in transition as they outscored the Dolphins 17-4 on the break.

 
NOTABLE MOMENTS

• The Royals were locked in early on defense as they used their suffocating pressure to go on an 11-0 run and take an early 16-5 lead. The Dolphins would ramp up the intensity trimming the Royals lead to 26-25 with 5:01 remaining in the first half.
• However, Queens would answer with a 12-2 run and take a 38-27 lead into the halftime break.
• In the second half, the Royals continued to build their lead as they led by as many as 16 points with 6:02 to play.
• The Dolphins clawed their way back into striking distance trimming the Royals lead to six with under a minute to play. However, late Royals free throws sealed the victory for Queens.

 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• The Royals set the tone early and shot an efficient 45 percent from the field and a blistering 5-for-11 from three in the first half. The Royals held Jacksonville to just 1-for-9 shooting from behind-the-arc in the first half.
• The 65 points from the Dolphins were the third-lowest scoring output that the Royals have allowed against Division 1 opponents this season.
• The pivotal conference victory pushed the Royals into the 10^th spot of the ASUN standings with three games remaining. The top 10 squads will make the ASUN Tournament.
• Curry Arena continues to be a tough place to play for opposing teams as the Royals improved to 10-3 inside Curry Arena this season.

NEXT UP
The Royals will travel to the Sunshine State next week as they take on Stetson University in their first of two games in Florida. 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.