Queens (NY) survived a thrilling contest against Eastern Kentucky, emerging with a 91-89 win at Curry Arena. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams showcasing their offensive prowess. Jordan Watford led the charge for Queens (NY), scoring 17 points to help his team secure the narrow victory. MJ Williams was equally impressive for Eastern Kentucky, finishing with 18 points in a losing effort.
The first half was a shootout, with Eastern Kentucky taking a 49-46 lead into the break. The Colonels' offense was clicking, with Williams and Montavious Myrick combining for 23 points in the opening 20 minutes. However, Queens (NY) refused to back down, with Watford and Avantae Parker pacing the Knights' attack. Parker added 16 points and 8 rebounds to his team's cause, while Yoav Berman chipped in with 14 points.
In the second half, Queens (NY) managed to gain the upper hand, outscoring Eastern Kentucky 45-40. The Knights' defense stiffened, holding the Colonels to just 40% shooting from the field after halftime. Meanwhile, Watford and company continued to find ways to score, with Queens (NY) shooting 51% from the field for the game.
Despite the loss, Eastern Kentucky can take pride in their performance. The Colonels' 89 points were a reflection of their ability to score against a decent defensive team. Williams, Myrick, and Turner Buttry all reached double figures, with Myrick adding 7 rebounds to his 16-point tally. However, it was not enough to overcome the balanced attack of Queens (NY).
The win improves Queens (NY) to 12-9 on the season, while Eastern Kentucky falls to 7-14. In terms of tournament implications, this result will not significantly alter the landscape. However, it does provide Queens (NY) with a much-needed win, even if it comes against a Quadrant 4 opponent. For Eastern Kentucky, the loss is a missed opportunity to pick up a Quadrant 3 win, which could have bolstered their resume.
As it stands, Queens (NY) will likely need to string together several more wins to become a serious tournament contender. Their current net ranking of 197 suggests they still have work to do to crack the top 100. Nevertheless, the Knights' performance against Eastern Kentucky demonstrates their ability to compete against teams from other conferences. With Watford, Parker, and Berman leading the way, Queens (NY) has the potential to make some noise in their remaining games. The challenge now is to build on this win and start a streak that can propel them up the rankings.