Queens (NY) put on a show at Curry Arena, overwhelming Gardner-Webb 107-74 in a non-conference matchup. The Royals' high-powered offense was on full display, with Nasir Mann leading the charge with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Avantae Parker and Chris Ashby also made significant contributions, scoring 18 and 14 points, respectively. This dominant performance was a reflection of Queens (NY)'s depth and scoring ability.
The game was essentially over by halftime, with Queens (NY) taking a commanding 52-37 lead into the break. The Royals' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with multiple players finding their rhythm and exploiting Gardner-Webb's defense. The Runnin' Bulldogs, on the other hand, struggled to keep pace, with their top performers, Jacob Hogarth, Ace Talbert, and Spence Sims, each scoring 15 points, but unable to stem the tide.
In the second half, Queens (NY) continued to pour it on, outscoring Gardner-Webb 55-37 to seal the 33-point victory. The Royals' balanced attack and relentless pressure proved too much for the Runnin' Bulldogs to handle. Hogarth's 15 points and 8 rebounds were a bright spot for Gardner-Webb, but ultimately, his efforts were not enough to overcome the significant deficit.
With this win, Queens (NY) improves to 12-9 on the season, while Gardner-Webb falls to 3-19. The Royals' performance will likely have a positive impact on their tournament resume, as they secured a Quadrant 4 win. Although Q4 wins are not typically considered marquee victories, they can still provide value in demonstrating a team's ability to take care of business against lesser opponents.
For Gardner-Webb, this loss will be recorded as a Quadrant 3 defeat, which, while not ideal, is not entirely unexpected given the significant disparity in the teams' net rankings. The Runnin' Bulldogs want to regroup and focus on their upcoming conference schedule, where they will face more evenly matched opponents.
This result reinforces Queens (NY)'s position as a solid mid-major program, capable of dominating inferior opponents. As the season progresses, the Royals must continue to accumulate wins, particularly in conference play, to strengthen their tournament case. For now, this convincing victory over Gardner-Webb serves as a confidence booster and a reminder of the team's potential when playing at its best. The win will be a valuable addition to Queens (NY)'s resume, showcasing their ability to perform at a high level against overmatched opponents.