OPENING TIP
Score: Queens 85| FGCU 74
Records: Queens (10-8 overall, 5-0 ASUN) | FGCU (7-11 overall, 1-4 ASUN)
Location: Alico Arena (Fort Myers, Fla.)
 
THE SHORT STORY
In a rematch of the ASUN Tournament Quarterfinals last season, the Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team used a gritty team effort to take down FGCU inside Alico Arena on Thursday night. The victory extended the Royals winning streak to five straight, matching their best start in league play last season.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Freshman Jordan Watford was sensational off the bench, netting a season-high 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting while also distributing three assists.
-Despite a slow start offensively, Carson Schwieger found a groove late, netting a pair of pivotal three pointers to finish with 15 points. The Overland Park, Kansas native added six boards to his night, matching his season-high.
-Sophomore Maban Jabriel also came off the bench to provide a spark, pouring in 15 points on 6-of-10 while also grabbing five rebounds. Jabriel used his length on the defensive end, picking up a block and a steal.
-Avantae Parker was a difference maker, adding 11 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one block over 17 minutes of action.
-Despite facing early foul trouble and being forced to sit throughout the second half, Nasir Mann made a timely impact scoring eight points, pulling down five rebounds, and facilitating a team-high four assists.
-Sophomore Yoav Berman rounded out the offense with 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one block over a career-high 36 minutes of action.
-Isaiah Malone led three Eagles in double figures with 17 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks.
-Queens won a physical night on the glass 41-37, and improved to 20-9 in ASUN games when outrebounding their opponent.

NOTABLE MOMENTS
-The visiting Royals jumped out to a quick 16-4 lead on the Eagles as five Royals found the bottom of the net during that span. Nasir Mann led the charge with five points while Avantae Parker added a quick four.
-Trailing 26-10 with 7:54 remaining in the first half, FGCU put together an 11-4 run to cut the deficit back to single digits at 30-21.
-The offenses would exchange buckets the remainder of the first half, and Queens would take a 41-33 lead into the break.
-Florida Gulf Coast came out of the break on a 10-0 run within a two-minute span to grab their first lead of the game at 43-41 and force a Queens timeout.
-Trailing 59-58 with 9:09 remaining in the game, Queens put together a 9-3 run to grab a five-point lead, the largest of the game since early in the first half, and force a FGCU timeout.
-Holding a slim 76-70 lead with 2:11 remaining in the game, Queens capitalized on an FGCU turnover as Maban Jabriel buried a corner three. The Eagles would continue to chip away and cut the deficit back with six with 1:36 remaining, but Carson Schwieger put away the dagger with his fourth triple.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
-Five different Royals reached double figures for the eighth game this season as Queens leads the league in scoring offense.
-FGCU executed a perfect 22-for-22 clip from the free-throw line.
-The victory improved the Royals lead to 7-2 in the all-time series with the Eagles.

NEXT UP
Queens will continue their trip in the Sunshine State on Saturday, January 17^th when the Royals head to DeLand for a matchup with Stetson. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN Plus. Fans can purchase their tickets in advance here.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow Queens Men's Basketball on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok for news and updates throughout the season. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media to stay up to date on all the Royals sports in action.