Queens (NY) secured a hard-fought 87-81 win over Stetson at the Edmunds Center, thanks in large part to a stellar performance from Nasir Mann. The Queens (NY) star posted 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists, coming close to a triple-double as his team improved to 12-9 on the season. Stetson, meanwhile, fell to 7-14 despite a strong showing from Jake Johnson, who led the Hatters with 19 points.
The first half saw Queens (NY) take control, with the visitors building a 42-33 lead by halftime. Stetson struggled to contain Mann, who scored 10 points in the opening period to set the tone for the rest of the game. The Hatters' Johnson kept his team within striking distance, however, scoring 11 points in the first half to keep the deficit manageable.
In the second half, Stetson mounted a comeback, with Collin Kuhl and Ethan Copeland chipping in with key baskets to trim the Queens (NY) lead. However, Mann and his teammates refused to relinquish their advantage, with Jordan Watford and Maban Jabriel providing crucial support to help Queens (NY) maintain a slim margin. As the game entered its final minutes, Queens (NY) pulled away, outscoring Stetson 10-5 over the last three minutes to seal the 87-81 win.
Johnson's 19 points paced Stetson, while Kuhl added 16 points and 5 rebounds. Copeland chipped in with 15 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack from Queens (NY). Mann's near-triple-double was the difference-maker, as he consistently found ways to contribute on both ends of the floor.
With this result, Queens (NY) picked up a Quadrant 4 win, which may not significantly boost their tournament resume but still represents a valuable road victory. For Stetson, the loss was also a Quadrant 4 defeat, which won't help their already slim postseason hopes. As the season enters its critical stretch, Queens (NY) want to build on this win and make a push for a stronger finish, while Stetson will aim to regroup and find ways to close out games against tough opponents.
The win is a reflection of Queens (NY)'s resilience and depth, as they were able to withstand Stetson's second-half surge and emerge victorious. Mann's performance will be a key talking point as the team looks to carry this momentum forward, and his ability to dominate games on multiple levels makes him a compelling player to watch in the season's final weeks. As Queens (NY) continues to navigate their schedule, they'll rely on Mann and his supporting cast to drive their tournament chances, which, while still a long shot, remain alive thanks to wins like this one over Stetson.