Queens (NY) put on a show at Curry Arena, dismantling Bellarmine 98-76 in a non-conference matchup. The Knights' high-powered offense was led by Chris Ashby, who exploded for a career-high 34 points. Ashby's dominant performance set the tone for the game, as Queens (NY) built a 10-point lead by halftime, with the score reading 50-40 in their favor.
The second half was more of the same, as Queens (NY) continued to push the pace and find open shots. Carson Schwieger chipped in with 17 points and 5 rebounds, while Jordan Watford added 12 points and 8 assists. The Knights' balanced attack proved too much for Bellarmine to handle, as they were outscored 48-36 in the second half.
Despite the lopsided score, Bellarmine's Jack Karasinski had a strong outing, scoring 24 points to lead the Knights. Brian Waddell and Kenyon Goodin also contributed with 15 and 11 points, respectively, but it wasn't enough to keep pace with Queens (NY)'s prolific offense.
The game was marked by Queens (NY)'s ability to get into a rhythm and stay there, as they shot efficiently from the field and moved the ball well. Bellarmine, on the other hand, struggled to find consistency, and their defense was unable to contain the Knights' array of scorers.
With the win, Queens (NY) improves to 12-9 on the season, while Bellarmine falls to 7-13. The outcome was not surprising, given the disparity in the teams' net rankings, with Queens (NY) sitting at 197 and Bellarmine at 297.
This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for Queens (NY), which means it was a game they were expected to win. While it may not carry significant weight in terms of their tournament resume, the convincing victory is still a positive result for the Knights. For Bellarmine, the loss was a Quadrant 3 game, which is a more manageable defeat, but still a missed opportunity to pick up a non-conference win.
The win is a reflection of Queens (NY)'s ability to take care of business against inferior opponents, which is crucial for building a strong tournament resume. As the season wears on, the Knights must continue to rack up wins and make a push for a postseason berth. With performances like Ashby's leading the way, they may be a team to watch in the coming weeks. The victory over Bellarmine may not be a marquee win, but it's a step in the right direction for Queens (NY) as they look to bolster their tournament chances.