Preview: Queens (NC) Royals at West Georgia Wolves

CARROLLTON, Ga. (Interstat) — Two ASUN Conference men’s basketball teams on divergent trajectories will meet Saturday when the surging Queens (NC) Royals visit the struggling West Georgia Wolves at The Coliseum.

The Royals (12-8, 7-0 ASUN) enter on a seven-game conference winning streak, last losing an ASUN game in March 2025. They are coming off a dominant 87-62 victory over North Alabama on Wednesday, where they shot 54% from the field. Queens has averaged 87.1 points per game during its conference run.

West Georgia (9-10, 3-4), meanwhile, looks to halt a four-game skid, most recently a 86-65 home loss to Central Arkansas on Thursday. Defense has been a persistent issue; the Wolves have allowed 90 or more points in three of those four losses.

The matchup features two of the league’s top individual scorers. Queens guard Jordan Watford has been a model of efficiency, scoring in double figures in eight straight games while averaging 17.1 points in just 20.6 minutes per game during ASUN play. He dropped 23 points in 20 minutes against North Alabama.

For West Georgia, forward Shelton Williams-Dryden carries a heavy offensive load, averaging 24.9 points in conference action. He erupted for 32 points and 13 rebounds in a win over Eastern Kentucky on Jan. 3 but was held to 19 points in the loss to Central Arkansas.

Queens’ balanced attack, which saw Avantae Parker (18 points) and Yoav Berman (20 points) also excel Wednesday, contrasts with West Georgia’s reliance on Williams-Dryden. The Wolves are 3-2 in ASUN play when he scores 27 or more, and 0-2 when he is held under 20.

The Royals have excelled on the road in conference play, winning at Stetson, Florida Gulf Coast, North Florida and Jacksonville. West Georgia is 6-4 at home this season but 1-2 in ASUN games at The Coliseum.

Saturday’s contest is the first of a regular-season home-and-home series. The Wolves will visit Charlotte for the rematch on Feb. 21.

Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. EST.