SPARKILL, N.Y. - Junior Madison Rowland scored 22 points, while redshirt senior MacKenzie Rowland added 12 points and 11 rebounds as the Queens College women's basketball team defeated St. Thomas Aquinas 63-59 in the team's ECC opener.

St. Thomas Aquinas scored the game's first four points but Queens answered with a 12-2 run to open a six-point lead.  The Spartans then closed out the period with the last six points to even the game after one.

The Knights outscored STAC 19-8 in the early of the second period to take an 11 point advantage, though the Spartans would score the final four points to trail by seven at the half.

A layup by Elisabeth Gully with 1:58 remaining in the third gave the Knights a 45-33 lead.  The Spartans answered a 9-1 charge to end the frame, cutting the lead to four, 46-42.

A trio of free throws by Kristen Korzevinski and a three by Mad. Rowland pushed QC ahead 56-46, with 6:04 left.  St. Thomas Aquinas went on a 10-0 run to even the contest with 2:48 remaining.

Back-to-back buckets pushed QC back up four, as the Knights' defense held the Spartans to three points the rest of the way.  Mad. Rowland sealed the contest with three free throws in the final 14 seconds.

The Knights continue ECC action Saturday afternoon at Mercy (12:00 pm).