JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — Chris Ashby scored 20 points and Queens (N.C.) used a dominant first half to cruise past Jacksonville 77-51 in an ASUN Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

The Royals (8-8, 2-1 ASUN) never trailed, opening the game on a 19-3 run and holding the Dolphins to 22 points in the first half to build a 19-point lead. Queens shot 48.1% from the field for the game and connected on 13 of 27 three-point attempts, while Jacksonville (5-11, 0-3) managed just 36.5% shooting and went 4 for 19 from beyond the arc.

The most important part of the game was its start, as Queens established immediate control. The Royals scored the game’s first seven points and forced four Jacksonville turnovers in the opening four minutes. The Dolphins missed their first six field goal attempts and did not make a shot from the floor until a Hayden Wood free throw at the 17:04 mark, by which time Queens led 7-1. The Royals’ lead ballooned to 16 points, 19-3, after a Yoav Berman three-pointer with 14:21 left in the half, effectively putting the game out of reach early.

Jacksonville never cut the deficit to single digits. The Dolphins struggled mightily on offense, posting an offensive rating of just 82.9 points per 100 possessions. They also hurt themselves at the free-throw line, making only 9 of 20 attempts.

Ashby, a guard from Houston, Texas, led all scorers in 27 minutes of action. Jordan Watford added 12 points for Queens, while Carson Schwieger and Maban Jabriel chipped in 12 and eight points, respectively. Berman, from Tel Aviv, Israel, directed the offense with a game-high five assists.

Jaylen Jones led Jacksonville with 11 points and three assists. Jason Thirdkill of Detroit contributed seven points, four blocks and three steals, but also committed five turnovers. Wood finished with eight points.

Queens capitalized on Jacksonville’s mistakes, scoring 25 points off 11 Dolphins turnovers. Jacksonville managed only eight points off the Royals’ 10 turnovers. The Dolphins won the rebounding battle 38-33, including 11 offensive boards, but could not convert those extra chances efficiently.

The Royals evened their season record at .500 and have now won two of their first three conference games. Jacksonville’s losing streak reached three games, all in ASUN play.

A crowd of 549 attended the game at the 15,000-seat Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

Queens continues its Florida road trip at North Florida on Saturday. Jacksonville remains at home to host West Georgia, also on Saturday.