CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team enters Saturday afternoon on a three-game winning streak as they welcome the ASUN preseason favorites from Lipscomb to Curry Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN Plus. The Royals are set to welcome back alumni as part of Homecoming and Royal Weekend. Alumni can learn more about the week and weekend festivities here.
 
GAMEDAY GUIDE VS. LIPSCOMB
Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Curry Arena (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Queens Game Notes
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THE MATCHUP
Queens and Lipscomb are set to meet for the fourth time since the Royals joined the ASUN, and the first time in the Queen City. The Bisons hold a 2-1 series advantage, but the Royals took the previous meeting earlier this season in Nashville, 75-73. In that victory, Queens erased a 13-point second-half deficit by shooting 57 percent over the final 20 minutes to storm from behind and bounce the ASUN preseason favorites. The Royals became just the sixth team to go into Allen Arena and pick up a win over the last three seasons. Chris Ashby led the Royals with a game-high 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the perimeter.

SCOUTING THE ROYALS (15-9 overall, 8-3 ASUN)

• Queens enters Saturday afternoon following a convincing 63-47 victory over Central Arkansas on Wednesday night. Sharpshooter Chris Ashby was lethal from the perimeter knocking down a Division 1 program record nine three-pointers for a career-high 27 points. Queens attempted a Division 1 program record 45 threes from the perimeter and connected on 14 of those attempts. A pair of extended second-half runs which saw the visiting Royals outscore the Bears 27-4 during those spans proved to be the difference.
• The Royals improved to 15-9 overall, and 8-3 in league play as they have reached 15 wins for the second time in Division 1, and 29^th time in program history. The Royals remain tied for second in the league standings with Lipscomb and North Alabama.
• In the midweek victory, Queens held Central Arkansas to 47 points. The last time the Royals held an opponent under 50 points was December 18, 2014, against The College of Faith. The Royals perimeter defense was outstanding as the Bears went 1-for-21 from deep.
• Chris Ashby moved into second all-time in career three-pointers made surpassing Todd Withers and Reginald Hopkins. The sharpshooter is looking to become the fourth player in school history to make 100 threes in a season as he currently sits at 79. Ashby is one of the league's top perimeter shooters attempting the most shots from downtown and burying the fifth most.
• The nation's leading shot blocker Malcolm Wilson is averaging 3.5 blocks per game. The Georgetown transfer needs one swat to move into second place for blocks in a single season. His performance protecting the rim has Queens ranked tied for 14^th in the country with Tennessee and Georgia.
• The Royals bench has been a key to success ranking 12^th in Division 1, and leading the ASUN in scoring with 32.38 points per game. Key contributors have been Yoav Berman (8.1 PPG), Jaxon Pollard (7.5 PPG), and Nasir Mann (6.8). Across the squad, 10 different Royals are averaging at least 5.0 points per game.
• Queens has shown their ability to close out games as they are 15-0 this season when leading with five minutes to go.
• Rebounding wins championships and Queens leads the ASUN in total rebounds with 38.8 per game. The Royals are 14-2 on the season when they outrebound their opponent.
• Despite ranking 11^th in free throw percentage in the ASUN, the Royals are very successful when getting to the free throw line. This season, Queens is 9-1 on the year when attempting more free throws than their opponent.
• Fresno State transfer Leo Colimerio has wreaked havoc on the ASUN in his first season as he leads the Royals in scoring while ranking second in rebounds and assists. In conference play, the Sao Paulo, Brazil native is averaging 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. Earlier this season, Colimerio was named the CollegeInsider Lute Olson National Player of the Week, Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week, and ASUN Player of the Week.
• Senior Jaxon Pollard has been a force on the block in conference play. The Cedar Hills native is scoring 8.3 points and grabbing 5.5 rebounds per game. Pollard matched his career-high, a mark that he has hit four times this season with 13 points against West Georgia last week.
• Queens was picked to finish ninth in the ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll. Since joining the league in 2022, the Royals have finished at least two positions higher than projected and claimed their spot in back-to-back ASUN Tournaments.

SCOUTING THE BISONS (16-8 overall, 8-3 ASUN)

• Lipscomb enters Saturday afternoon 16-8 overall and 8-3 in ASUN play. The Bisons have won their last two games and coming off a 76-67 victory at West Georgia on Wednesday night. In that win, preseason All-Conference standout Jacob Ognacevic poured in 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting while adding eight rebounds.
• Lennie Acuff is in his sixth season at the helm of the Bisons program. Under his direction, Lipscomb is 101-80 and turned in back-to-back 20-win seasons.
• Despite posting an 8-3 record inside Allen Arena, the Bisons are 8-5 on the road this season. Lipscomb has emerged victorious in their last two road outings at Central Arkansas and West Georgia.
• Lipscomb brings one of the best offenses in the league scoring 78.4 points per game on 47-percent shooting, the second best mark in the league.
• On defense, the Bisons lead the league in scoring defense holding opponents to 67.0 points per game on 42-percent shooting. The Bisons rank 55th in the country in scoring defense.
• Unanimous Preseason All-ASUN team selection Jacob Ognacevic leads the charge with 19.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
• Veteran guard Will Pruitt, also named a unanimous Preseason All-ASUN team selection, is averaging 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.
• Lipscomb was picked to win the league in the ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll after a 20-12 season last year.

 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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