Flushing, N.Y. - The Queens College men's basketball team, winners of four of their last five contests, had a daunting task in front of them on Thursday, as they hosted the East Coast Conference leaders, Dowling College, in Fitzgerald Gym.  The Golden Lions triumphed over the Knights, 79-62.

The Knights fell behind by eight, 12-4, over the first 4:25 of game time.  Dowling got consecutive three-pointers from Ryan Hickey to grab that eight-point advantage.  Queens responded with a trifecta from Kyheim Chaplin and got to 12-7. Jeremiah Mordi followed with a three-point-play and the QC was within two.  Later in the half, Queens took their only lead of the game, at 17-16, when Tommie Starkes Jr. connected on a three-pointer at 6:50.  The Golden Lions pushed the advantage back to 13 points, 33-20, at the half.

In the second half, Queens got the deficit down into single digits, but they couldn't get back out of the hole.  The Golden Lions went on for the 79-62 win.

Mordi led the Knights in points (17) and rebounds (8), while shooting 6-for-12.  Patrick Parker chipped in with 12 points and had five assists.

The Queens College men's basketball team returns to action on Saturday, February 1, when they face the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut.  The tip-off with the Purple Knights is scheduled for 3:00 PM.