Colchester, Vt. - The Queens College women's basketball is now 1-1 against Northeast 10 schools after falling to American International, 80-61, in the opening round of the DoubleTree Tip-Off Classic hosted by St. Michael's in Colchester, Vermont.  The Knights earned a win over NE-10 foe Pace last week.

Queens jumped out a 3-0 lead in the game courtesy of a three-point play from Melissa Gardner.  At the 16:44 mark, a pair of Kasheema Besley foul shots brought QC within 11-9.  From there, the Yellow Jackets used a 27-15 run to close out the half and lead 38-24.

The second twenty minutes saw AIC increase their lead to 16 points on an Ebony Easter jumper at 19:25.  From there, the Knights came to life.

Besley made a layup to make the score 40-26, AIC.  Madison Rowland scored the next five points and the Knights were within nine.  Gardner and Rowland hit back-to-back baskets and QC cut the deficit to 40-35.  MacKenzie Rowland made a pair of buckets split by a Besley jumper and the Knights used a 15-0 run to take a 41-40 advantage with 16:51 left to play.  The 15 points  came in a 2:10 stretch and saw QC cause a pair of turnovers, grab two offensive rebounds and block a shot.

AIC responded and took the lead for good on a pair of Sydney Tepley foul shots with 15:46.  They went on to win 80-61.

In the game, both Madison Rowland (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Gardner (14 points, 11 rebounds) each had double-doubles.  MacKenzie Rowland led all scorers with 17 points.

The QC women's basketball team concludes the DoubleTree Tip-Off Classic on Sunday when they face the host, St. Michael's.  The opening jump ball is slated for 1:30 PM.