ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Jan. 11, 2019) – The offenses inside Voller Athletic Center were almost as cold as the frigid temperatures outside it on Friday evening.

The Queens College women's basketball team (2-11, 1-4 ECC) shot 32.7% from the field and the Roberts Wesleyan Redhawks (5-9, 1-3 ECC) performed no better, only converting on 30% of their attempts in their 53-46 win. The score was close all game long, but untimely QC turnovers along with clutch Redhawk foul shooting in the fourth quarter shut the door on the possibility of a Knights 'W'. In addition, Roberts' control of the offensive glass (the Redhawks grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, the Knights only six) would prove decisive.
Coming off two double-digit losses to non-conference teams, Queens entered the contest looking to gain momentum for upcoming East Coast Conference play while Roberts, on the other hand, came into the match-up one slot below the Knights in the East Coast Conference standings.

A quick trey by guard Beth Bonin in the first minute of the first quarter conjured up memories of her 34-point offensive onslaught against SNHU on Sunday, but she was largely silenced for the rest of the stilt. It was easy to see that the Redhawks' coaching staff had been aware of Bonin's performance and had prepared an effective game plan to slow her down. Forward My'eesa Grant's three-point play at 3:32 to make it 9-8 gave the Knights the last lead they would see. Grant and forward Analeza Edore battled well in the post against the taller Roberts' players. Guard Emer Moloney was the main source of energy in QC's first-half offense. Late in the first period she blocked a three-point attempt and then nailed a triple of her own at the buzzer to tie the game at 12. Then, with 2:45 left in the second quarter, her behind-the-back crossover and dish to wide-open guard Lucy Tougas led to another bucket. Queens ran pick-and-rolls and off-ball screen plays with precision, but could not find the bottom of the net for much of the first half.

Forward Emily Miller---who leads the ECC in rebounds and minutes per game and ranks second in scoring average---and six-foot-three center Dimitra Gkizani (4-4 from field in first half) led the way for the home side, combining for 13 first-half rebounds. The Redhawks went into halftime with a 26-21 advantage.

Roberts surprised QC with various defensive sets in the second half, even utilizing a full-court press at times. The Knights often found themselves rushing shots, as the Redhawks closed out quickly on perimeter shooters. A soft Miller jumper in the lane sparked a 7-0 run near the end of the third quarter that put Queens behind by ten, the largest margin of the night. The Knights, though, refused to give in. Grant, who finished with a team-high 15 points on five-of-ten shooting, made strong cuts to the hoop in the fourth despite much physical contact. Bonin hit a crucial three-pointer at 2:54 to make it a one-possession game, 46-43. However, the Knights were felled by turnovers and could ultimately could not complete the comeback.

Queens will take a one-hour bus ride west to Amherst to face the Daemen Wildcats on Sunday (Jan. 13). The jump ball is set for 1:00pm.