History was made Sunday in Jacksonville.
Queens University of Charlotte is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history after defeating Central Arkansas to win the Atlantic Sun Conference championship. The Royals completed an impressive postseason run with wins over West Georgia and Austin Peay and secured the league’s automatic bid to March Madness, marking a major milestone for one of college basketball’s fastest-rising programs.
It was not pretty, as Central Arkansas had a late rally, before Camren Hunter scored a bucket with 2.0 remaining in regulation to tie the game at 82. With that bucket, he had 43 points on the night.
The game went to overtime, where the Royals scored the first seven points. The tenth three-pointer of the game put them up five. After some back and forth, Hunter hit another three to cut the lead to 91-88. A couple stops and made free throws later and the Royals wrapped it up. Queens 96-93 over Central Arkansas.
Hunter finished the game with 49 points in a loss for the Bears. Queens got 34 from Chris Ashby.
For a team that only transitioned to Division I a few years ago, the moment carried enormous significance. When the final seconds ticked off the clock inside Jacksonville’s arena, players poured onto the floor while coaches and staff celebrated a breakthrough that had been years in the making.
The Royals, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, will now hear their name called on Selection Sunday for the first time at the Division I level.
Queens finishes impressive ASUN tournament run
Queens entered the Atlantic Sun tournament believing it had a legitimate shot at the title, but the path was far from easy.
The Royals had already faced Central Arkansas twice during the regular season, including a tough loss 84-79 late in the year. That made Sunday’s championship matchup even more compelling.
This time, Queens delivered its best performance when it mattered most.
Throughout the ASUN tournament, the Royals relied on the same identity that carried them through the season: pace, balanced scoring and confidence on the offensive end. Queens has been one of the highest-scoring teams in the conference all year, averaging more than 84 points per game.
That offensive rhythm showed up again during the tournament run, helping the Royals stack together multiple wins and eventually capture the conference title in Jacksonville.
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A milestone moment for a rising Division I program
The NCAA Tournament appearance is especially significant because of how quickly Queens has climbed the college basketball ladder.
The Royals officially moved to Division I and joined the ASUN Conference in 2022 after years of success at the Division II level. Programs making that jump often need several seasons just to become competitive.
Queens has accelerated that timeline dramatically.
In only a few seasons at the Division I level, the Royals have already reached the NCAA Tournament, something many programs take decades to accomplish.
Before the move to Division I, Queens built a strong reputation nationally in Division II, including multiple NCAA tournament appearances and a memorable Final Four run in 2018.
Now the program has taken its biggest step yet.
Grant Leonard guiding the program’s rise
Much of the credit for Queens’ rapid success belongs to head coach Grant Leonard.
Leonard is in his fourth season leading the Royals and has been tasked with guiding the program through its transition to Division I competition. The former Duke assistant, who spent time on Mike Krzyzewski’s staff, has helped build a modern offensive system that emphasizes spacing, pace and player development.
Under Leonard’s leadership, Queens has developed into one of the most entertaining teams in the ASUN.
The Royals push the tempo, move the ball well and allow multiple players to contribute offensively. That style helped Queens remain competitive throughout the season and ultimately fueled its conference tournament run.
More importantly, Leonard has built a culture that convinced players they could compete on a national stage.
Sunday’s championship victory validated that belief.
Balanced roster drives the Royals
Queens’ success this season has come from balance rather than relying on a single superstar.
Guard Nasir Mann has been one of the team’s most consistent contributors, averaging 13.4 points per game while providing leadership in the backcourt.
Jordan Watford has directed the offense, leading the team in assists and helping keep the Royals’ fast-paced attack organized.
Forward Avantae Parker has been one of the most efficient players on the roster, shooting more than 70 percent from the field and providing scoring around the basket.
With multiple players capable of stepping up in key moments, Queens has become a difficult team to defend.
A season that built toward history
Queens finished the regular season 20-13 overall and 13-5 in ASUN play, finishing third in the conference standings.
The Royals steadily improved as the season progressed, stringing together important conference wins late in the year that helped position them for a deep postseason run.
By the time the conference tournament arrived, Queens was playing some of its best basketball of the season.
That momentum carried into Jacksonville and ultimately produced the biggest win the program has ever had at the Division I level.
March Madness awaits for Queens
Now the Royals will shift their focus to the NCAA Tournament.
Queens will likely enter the bracket as a lower seed, but the program has already proven it can handle the pressure of tournament basketball. The Royals play fast, score efficiently and bring the confidence of a team that just captured a conference championship.
For the players and coaches who celebrated on the court in Jacksonville, the next step will be hearing their name called on Selection Sunday.
For a program that only joined Division I a few years ago, that moment will represent a remarkable accomplishment.
And it ensures that this season in Charlotte will forever be remembered as the year Queens basketball reached March Madness.
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