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Watford scores 21 off bench, Queens beats Austin Peay 90-83 in Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament
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Watford scores 21 off bench, Queens beats Austin Peay 90-83 in Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament

#Jordan Watford #Queens Royals #Austin Peay Governors #Atlantic Sun Conference #College Basketball #Tournament Semifinals #NCAA Tournament

πŸ“Œ Key Takeaways

  • Jordan Watford scored 21 points off the bench to lead Queens to victory
  • Queens Royals defeated Austin Peay Governors 90-83 in Atlantic Sun Tournament semifinals
  • The win advances Queens to their first-ever conference tournament championship game
  • Queens will play for the conference title and an NCAA Tournament bid

πŸ“– Full Retelling

Jordan Watford scored 21 points off the bench to lead the Queens Royals to a 90-83 victory over the Austin Peay Governors in the semifinals of the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament on March 10, 2024, advancing the Royals to the championship game of the collegiate basketball competition. The Royals' bench production proved crucial as Watford, coming off the pine, connected on key shots throughout the second half to secure the win. The Governors kept the game close for most of the contest, trailing by just five points with under five minutes remaining before Queens pulled away down the stretch. The victory marked a significant milestone for the Queens program as they advanced to their first-ever Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament championship game. Queens coaching staff praised Watford's performance, highlighting his ability to provide instant offense when needed. The Royals will now face the winner of the other semifinal match in the tournament championship game, with the winner earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

🏷️ Themes

College Basketball, Tournament Play, Bench Performance

πŸ“š Related People & Topics

College basketball

College basketball

Amateur basketball played by students of higher education institutions

College basketball is basketball that is played by teams of student-athletes at universities and colleges. In the United States, colleges and universities are governed by collegiate athletic bodies, including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercolle...

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Atlantic Sun Conference

Atlantic Sun Conference

American college sports league

The Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) is a collegiate athletic conference operating mostly in the Southeastern United States, competing at the NCAA Division I level. Originally established as the Trans America Athletic Conference (TAAC) in 1978, it was renamed as the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2001, an...

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Queens Royals

Queens Royals

Intercollegiate sports teams of Queens University of Charlotte

The Queens Royals are the athletic teams that represent Queens University of Charlotte, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, in NCAA intercollegiate sporting competitions. On July 1, 2022, the Royals began a four-year transition from NCAA Division II to Division I as new members of t...

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Austin Peay Governors

Athletic teams representing Austin Peay State University

The Austin Peay Governors are the intercollegiate athletic teams of Austin Peay State University (APSU or Peay), located in Clarksville, Tennessee, United States. The Governors athletic program is a member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) for all sports except football, in which...

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Connections for College basketball:

πŸ‘€ Valparaiso Beacons 3 shared
πŸ‘€ Bradley Braves 3 shared
πŸ‘€ Jaquan Johnson 3 shared
πŸ‘€ Southern Illinois Salukis 3 shared
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Mentioned Entities

College basketball

College basketball

Amateur basketball played by students of higher education institutions

Atlantic Sun Conference

Atlantic Sun Conference

American college sports league

Queens Royals

Queens Royals

Intercollegiate sports teams of Queens University of Charlotte

Austin Peay Governors

Athletic teams representing Austin Peay State University

Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This victory is significant for Queens University as it marks their first-ever appearance in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament championship game, with the winner securing an automatic bid to the prestigious NCAA Tournament. The bench performance of Jordan Watford demonstrates the team's depth and ability to win crucial games with contributions from non-starters. This achievement affects the players, coaching staff, university community, and potentially the program's future recruiting and visibility in collegiate basketball.

Context & Background

  • The Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) is a collegiate athletic conference whose member teams compete in NCAA Division I
  • Tournament champions in mid-major conferences like the ASUN receive automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament, providing a pathway to March Madness
  • Queens University, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a relatively newer member of Division I athletics, transitioning from Division II in 2022
  • The ASUN Tournament is a single-elimination championship where the winner earns the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament
  • Jordan Watford's 21-point performance off the bench exemplifies the importance of depth in tournament play

What Happens Next

Queens Royals will face the winner of the other ASUN Tournament semifinal match in the championship game. The date and location of the championship game will be determined by the tournament schedule, with the winner securing an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. This represents a historic opportunity for Queens to make their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the program's Division I history.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of winning the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament?

Winning the ASUN Tournament championship grants the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, providing a pathway to March Madness and national recognition for the program.

How important was Jordan Watford's bench performance to this victory?

Watford's 21 points off the bench were crucial as he provided key scoring in the second half when the team needed it most, helping Queens pull away from Austin Peay in the final minutes.

What does this tournament run mean for Queens University's basketball program?

This represents a significant milestone for Queens, demonstrating the program's competitiveness in its relatively short time in Division I and potentially enhancing its recruiting profile and future opportunities.

How does the ASUN Tournament format work?

The ASUN Tournament is a single-elimination championship where teams compete in a bracket format, with the winner earning the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

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Original Source
Jordan Watford scored 21 points off of the bench to help lead the Queens Royals over the Austin Peay Governors 90-83 in the semifinals of the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament
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Source

abcnews.com

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