Queens University Secures NCAA Tournament Spot
In a thrilling showdown in Jacksonville, Florida, Queens University secured its spot in the NCAA Tournament by overcoming Central Arkansas with a final score of 98-93 in overtime, marking a remarkable achievement as it is the team’s first year of eligibility.
Star Performance by Chris Ashby
The star of the game was Chris Ashby, who was instrumental in this victory, netting 34 points and establishing a tournament record with 10 successful 3-pointers out of 19 attempts.
Game Highlights
The Royals, seeded third in the Atlantic Sun Tournament and hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, faced a late surge from Central Arkansas, led by Camren Hunter, who scored an astounding 49 points. Despite holding an 11-point advantage with just over three minutes left in regulation, Queens struggled against the Bears’ aggressive full-court pressure, resulting in a series of turnovers that allowed Hunter to rally and level the game at 82.
Overtime Victory
In the extra period, Ashby kicked off overtime with the first five points, helping Queens maintain their lead while capitalizing on free throw opportunities—making 9 out of 10 attempts in that critical juncture of the game. Notably, Ashby sealed the victory with two additional free throws, solidifying a 95-90 lead.
Supporting Cast
Supporting Ashby’s efforts were teammates Jordan Watford with 19 points, Nasir Mann contributing 14, and Yoav Berman adding 10 points, while Avantae Parker dominated the boards with 10 rebounds alongside eight points.
Central Arkansas Performance
Central Arkansas’s Hunter not only surpassed his personal best by 16 points but also displayed an impressive shooting performance, making 17 of his 30 shots, including 8 out of 12 from beyond the arc. Ty Robinson added 16 points, and Javion Guy-King chipped in with 10 for the Bears, who were also striving for their inaugural NCAA appearance.
Three-Point Shooting Stats
The game was marked by a combined total of 74 attempts from three-point range, with Queens converting 16 out of 38 and Central Arkansas making 15 of 36.
