GAMEDAY GUIDE
Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Knights Hall (Louisville, Ky.)
Watch (ESPN+)
Stats
Tickets
Queens Game Notes
 
QUEENS (12-10 OVERALL, 7-2 ASUN)
THE MATCHUP
Saturday afternoon marks the sixth all-time meeting between Queens and Bellarmine with the Royals commanding a 4-1 series lead over the Knights. In their last matchup earlier in the month, the Royals punished the visitors on the glass 40-27, including a 13-3 mark on the offensive end. Chris Ashby led the charge with a career-high 34 points, which led to a Queens victory of 98-76 inside Curry Arena.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Queens came up just short in their last matchup against Central Arkansas, falling 100-90 in a tight game. In the second half, the Royals struggled defensively as the Bears outscored the Royals 60-45 on 57-percent shooting to complete the comeback.
                                                                                                                                                                      
QUEENS LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK IN ASUN PLAY
Queens enters Saturday afternoon 7-2 in ASUN play after a perfect 7-0 start. The perfect record marked the best start to ASUN play since joining the league in 2022. The last time Queens rattled off seven straight wins was their final year of Division 2 in 2021-22, when they strung together 16 consecutive wins.                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
NCAA TOP 100 SHOOTERS
Sharpshooter Chris Ashby is tied for 98^th all-time in NCAA history for three-pointers made. The Houston, Texas native holds the school record for threes made as well as the single-season record (115) set last season.
 
QUEENS LIGHTING IT UP FROM DOWNTOWN
Queens knocked down 10 threes in the first half against Central Arkansas, which tied for the second most in a single half this season. Queens rank fifth in the league with 10.5 three-point field goals per game.
                                        
BERMAN'S BUCKETS
Since ASUN play got underway, sophomore Yoav Berman has stepped up with 11.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. The Tel Aviv, Israel native has reached double figures in 8-of-9 league games, and is coming off 16 points, a career-high seven assists, and five rebounds against Central Arkansas.
 
EVERYBODY EATS
The Royals ability to distribute the scoring throughout the lineup has resulted in 11 games this season where five guys reach double figures in the same game.
 
FRESHMAN FACILITATOR
Rookie Jordan Watford has been one of the nation's best first-year distributors, ranking 20th in the country among freshmen with 3.9 assists per game. Watford ranks 191^st in the country and fifth in the league in assists per game. Watford is averaging the most assists per game by a true freshman at Queens since Vashon Fullwood distributed 5.3 per game in 1991-92.
 
DISHING DIMES                                                                       
Queens ranks fourth in the ASUN with 16.2 assists per game. Jordan Watford and Yoav Berman have sparked the offense as the duo combine for 7.2 dimes per game.
                                                 
STREET DOGS
A new face behind the Royals bench, Buddy, has become a staple in the Royals locker room. A new tradition started this season, head coach Grant Leonard awards Buddy, a hollow replica of a dog, to the "Street Dog of the Game," or the person who makes an energetic impact in the game. Buddy sits by that player's locker until the next game and has even made appearances in the postgame press conferences.
 
BELLARMINE (8-13 OVERALL, 3-6 ASUN)
TURNING IT AROUND LATE
Bellarmine enters Saturday afternoon 8-13 overall and 3-6 in ASUN action. The Knights have started to find a groove, winning two of their last three, including a 77-74 win against West Georgia in their last outing.
 
EFFECTIVE SCORING
The Knights offense is finding plenty of success as they lead the ASUN in field goal percentage at 51-percent. Bellarmine is pouring in 79.3 points per game this season, and 89.3 over the last three games.
 
PROTECT THE PERIMETER
Bellarmine is surrendering 82.1 points per game, the third most in the league. Additionally, opponents are sniping a league-best 39-percent of their attempts from deep.
 
SENIOR SCORER
Senior Jack Karasinski has been the star of Bellarmine this season, averaging a team-high 19.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Karasinski ranks third in the ASUN, and 50^th in the nation in scoring.
 
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.