Since Queens joined the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2022, the Royals’ men’s basketball team has had FGCU’s number.
As short-term trends typically go, that continued Thursday, Jan. 15.
The Eagles (7-11, 1-4 ASUN) fell to Queens (10-8, 5-0) for the seventh time in program history in an 85-74 men’s basketball decision. With the win, the Royals improved to 7-2 all-time vs. FGCU and remained atop the ASUN with Austin Peay.
“I’m proud of my guys,” FGCU coach Pat Chambers said. “I thought we competed. Everything’s going against us. We have so many guys out right now… We took the lead in that second half, and really competed. Obviously, foul trouble hurt. Certain stretches, we gave up some offensive rebounds.
“The way we started that game, it was looking ugly there for a second. But they fought back, took the lead in the second half, super pumped about where we were playing a lot of young guys. I drew a lot of positives and told the team, ‘We’re super close.’ There’s too many guys in black sweatsuits, and now JR (Konieczny) missed the majority of the second half. When it comes down to a one-possession game, you need your best player. And that hurt us in the end.”
Queens opened the game with high percentage looks, generating points on 6 of its first 12 offensive possessions, including a few at the free throw line. The Royals didn’t trail the entire first half, leading by as many as 16 before the Eagles cut it down to 8 by halftime. That’s when Queens coach Grant Leonard warned his team that a comeback was coming.
Just as Leonard predicted, FGCU turned the tables to start the second half. The Eagles generated a 10-0 run to take a 43-41 lead. It was the start of 10 lead changes, all of which occurred over the final 20 minutes.
“I knew they were a really good team,” Leonard said. “Knew that despite having the first half lead, that they were going to make a run. Told our guys both at halftime and in multiple huddles, stay together, and take their punch in the second half. I thought that we had better depth, and we could wear them down, and that’s what happened.”
The Royals eventually were able to pull away despite being tied at 59, outscoring FGCU 26-15 over the final 10 minutes.
Leading the way for Queens was Jordan Watford, who had 19 points. Maban Jabriel contributed 15 off the bench, while Avantae Parker and Yoav Berman each added 11. In total, the Royals had five eclipse double figures.
For FGCU, Isaiah Malone had 17 points, 11 of which came at the free throw line. Rahmir Barno added 15, and Darren Williams finished with 10.
Here are takeaways from Thursday night’s matchup.
Strong start and finish for Royals
Queens was largely efficient early on, taking high percentage looks inside and attacking both of FGCU’s big men in Malone and Tristan Guillouette. With the game level at 59-all with under 10 minutes to go, Queens got 9 points from Carson Schwieger, who nailed a go-ahead 3-pointer at the 6:32 mark. Up 80-74 with just north of a minute to play, the redshirt sophomore followed it up with the dagger from the corner to take a 9-point lead, finishing with 15 points.
“I think it’s senior leadership,” Leonard said. “Even with Nas Mann in foul trouble. Stayed super positive and came into that second half with four fouls. He was able to get a lot of stops, and that type of leadership is how you win games.
“When you’re 10 deep, you’re going to let everyone know they can make an impact on the game. I really thought our 10 guys were able to wear them down, and I thought that was the difference in the last eight minutes.”
Strong on one line, abysmal at the other
Typically, a perfect 22 of 22 from the free throw line would be enough to win a game, but the Eagles were unable to finish things off despite leading for nearly six minutes in the second half. FGCU was poor from the other line on the floor, shooting just 4-of-21 from deep, including an 0 for 11 start in the opening frame.
Status of FGCU’s top scorer in flux
Midway through the second half, Konieczny left holding an area around his left ribcage and didn’t return. That ultimately tanked the Eagles and their chances down the stretch, as the team shot just 30 percent (6 of 20) after Konieczny’s absence.
Chambers said his status is uncertain on such a quick turnaround for West Georgia (9-8, 3-2) on Saturday, and anticipated he’ll be unavailable for practice Friday.
“He’s being looked at,” Chambers said. “We don’t know if we’re gonna have JR, so that’s gonna be a problem. Let’s assume we don’t tomorrow, at least in practice… We’ve got to keep everybody healthy. We only have nine healthy, eight healthy bodies right now.”
In the cellar
The Eagles, who extended Chambers three additional years through the 2029 season before the start of this season, now sit at the bottom of the ASUN through five games of conference play. It’s been a rough stretch to say the least for the Eagles, having lost 9 of 11 games dating back to late November.
“It’s only January,” Chambers said. “I said this to the team, we’ve got to be the best team going into February. Whatever that looks like, don’t worry about the record. Whatever we need to do, be the best team going into February and March, because we’re gonna get there.”
FGCU Women’s basketball falls to West Georgia
The Eagles women lost their first ASUN game of the season, dropping a 63-56 contest at West Georgia. The loss drops the Eagles to 8-8 and 4-1 in conference play, while West Georgia improved to 11-5 and 4-1 in the ASUN.
Nay Staton led FGCU with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Sinai Douglas added 11 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: FGCU men’s basketball falls to 1-4 in ASUN after 85-74 loss to Queens
Reporting by Alex Martin, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
