Queens (NY) asserted its dominance over South Carolina State at Curry Arena, cruising to a 102-78 win. The Knights' impressive performance was spearheaded by Nasir Mann, who tallied 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Mann's well-rounded effort set the tone for Queens (NY), which never trailed in the contest. The Knights' 49-point first half, which included a significant run to close the period, gave them a 23-point cushion at the break, with South Carolina State managing just 26 points.
The second half saw South Carolina State attempt to mount a comeback, scoring 52 points, but Queens (NY) matched their intensity, adding 53 points of their own to maintain a comfortable lead throughout. Carson Schwieger and Yoav Berman provided significant support to Mann, scoring 17 and 15 points, respectively, as the Knights' balanced attack proved too much for the Bulldogs to handle. On the other side, Owen Bronston Jr. led South Carolina State with 17 points, while Chris Parker notched a double-double with 10 points and 20 rebounds, and Jayden Johnson added 10 points and 11 assists.
The lopsided victory was a reflection of Queens (NY)'s superiority, as they outplayed South Carolina State in nearly every facet of the game. The Knights' ability to share the ball and create scoring opportunities for each other was a key factor in their success, as evidenced by their 24 assists on the night. In contrast, South Carolina State struggled to find consistency on offense, relying heavily on the efforts of Bronston Jr., Parker, and Johnson to stay within striking distance.
As the season progresses, Queens (NY) want to build on this momentum, using the confidence gained from this decisive win to propel them forward. The victory, classified as a Quadrant 4 win for Queens (NY), may not significantly boost their tournament resume, but it does help to pad their overall record, now standing at 12-9. For South Carolina State, the loss drops them to 5-16, and while it was expected, given the disparity in the teams' net rankings, it still serves as a reminder of the challenges they face in terms of competing against more formidable opponents.
The outcome of this game reinforces Queens (NY)'s position as a mid-tier team, with a net ranking of 197, while South Carolina State's net ranking of 359 underscores their struggles this season. As both teams continue their schedules, they want to make statements and improve their standing, whether it be in conference play or in terms of their overall tournament prospects. For now, Queens (NY) can take pride in their dominant performance, while South Carolina State will aim to regroup and learn from their mistakes, seeking to bounce back from this convincing defeat. This win will likely have a minimal impact on Queens (NY)'s tournament chances, but it helps to solidify their position as a team to watch in their conference, and they want to carry this momentum into their upcoming games.