Queens (NY) delivered a strong performance on the road, defeating Florida Gulf Coast 85-74 at Alico Arena. The Royals' high-powered offense was on full display, as they never trailed in the second half. Jordan Watford led the charge for Queens (NY), scoring 19 points to pace his team to victory. Watford's effort was complemented by a balanced attack, with Carson Schwieger and Maban Jabriel each chipping in 15 points.
Florida Gulf Coast, meanwhile, was unable to overcome a slow start. The Eagles trailed 41-33 at halftime and were never able to close the gap. Isaiah Malone was a bright spot for Florida Gulf Coast, scoring 17 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. Rahmir Barno added 15 points, but it wasn't enough to propel the Eagles to a win.
The game was marked by a series of runs, with Queens (NY) using a 10-2 spurt midway through the second half to build a 12-point lead. Florida Gulf Coast responded with a 7-0 run of its own, but the Royals were able to stem the tide and maintain their advantage. As the final minutes ticked away, Queens (NY) salted the game away at the free throw line, converting 7 of 10 attempts to seal the win.
The victory improves Queens (NY) to 12-9 on the season, while Florida Gulf Coast falls to 8-13. While the outcome may not have been surprising, the margin of victory was a reflection of the Royals' strength. Queens (NY) outshot Florida Gulf Coast from the field, 49% to 42%, and outrebounded the Eagles 35-32.
This result will have implications for both teams' tournament resumes. For Queens (NY), the win is a Quadrant 3 victory, which should help bolster their NET ranking of 197. The Royals want to build on this momentum as they continue their season. On the other hand, the loss is a Quadrant 4 defeat for Florida Gulf Coast, which may hurt their already slim tournament chances. The Eagles' NET ranking of 240 will likely take a hit, making their path to a postseason berth even more challenging.
Ultimately, Queens (NY)'s convincing win over Florida Gulf Coast is a significant boost to their tournament hopes. With a strong road victory under their belt, the Royals want to continue their push towards a postseason berth. As for Florida Gulf Coast, they must regroup and refocus in order to salvage their season and make a late push for a tournament spot. The loss may be a setback, but the Eagles still have time to turn their season around and make a run at a postseason bid.