Rochester, N.Y. - The Queens College men's basketball team used a big second half to lift them to their second straight win, a 76-65 victory, at Roberts Wesleyan, from Rochester, New York, on Saturday.  With the triumph, the Knights improved to 9-7 in East Coast Conference play.

The first five minutes of action saw both sides jockeying for position as neither the Knights nor the Redhawks could muster a lead until Patrick Parker (Queens, N.Y./Alfred State) made a three-pointer off the assist from Kevin Nascimento (Harlem, N.Y./Genesee C.C.) to put QC ahead, 12-9.  Approximately two minutes later, George Holmes (Gordon Heights, N.Y./Suffolk C.C.) extended the lead to five by scoring two of his 19 points. 

Shortly thereafter, Daniel Watson (Mount Vernon, N.Y/Mount Vernon) gave the Knights their largest lead of the half, seven points, when his basket made the score 20-13, with 12:17 remaining.  Roberts Wesleyan then used a 6-0 run to close within one point, and QC led at the half, 37-35.

The second half opened with Parker making a driving layup to put the Knights ahead by four.  The Redhawks responded and eventually tied the score at 41-all, with 16:42 remaining.  From there, both sides shared the lead over the next nine plus minutes.  Eventually, QC took the lead for good when Luke Mercurio (Hampton Bays, N.Y./Hampton Bays) made consecutive baskets to make the score 58-57, Knights.  QC went on for the 76-65 win.

In the victory, Parker led all scorers with 23 points and Holmes contributed with 19.  Holmes raked in a game-high four steals as the Knights collected 13 thefts in all.

The men's basketball team returns to action on Wednesday, February 27, when they host Dowling College from Fitzgerald Gym.  The start time is slated for 7:00 PM.