NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (Jan. 5, 2019) – The Queens College men's basketball team could not get in an offensive rhythm in the opening half as the Knights succumbed to a 93-43 defeat at Merrimack on Saturday (Jan. 5).

The Knights (2-12) surrendered 49 total points in the opening frame of play as the Warriors (9-5) blistered the gymnasium, shooting 61% (20-33) from the floor and 50% (9-18) from beyond the three-point line. In contrast, QC shot just 5-for-29 (17%) from the field and hit just one three-pointer in nine tries.

Merrimack raced out to a 5-0 lead thanks to a first-possession lay-up from Khalief Crawford and a three-ball from Jaleel Lord after blocking Elijah Bovell's first shot of the contest. Jelani Williams hit a treble to put QC on the board but Idris Joyner quickly answered with a three of his own as the Warriors stormed ahead to a 13-3 edge in the opening four minutes of play. The hosts continued to scorch the Knights on defense, extending their lead to a 29-9 margin at the mid-point of the half before Evan Goldberg converted on a lay-up to put Queens back on the scoreboard. The Knights would not hit a field goal in the final 9:25 of play in the first half, settling for only free throws as Lord rained in a three with time winding down to send the Warriors into the break up by a thirty-point margin at 49-19.

Merrimack opened the second half on a 26-4 run to further distance themselves from the Knights in the non-conference tilt.

Dwayne Henry, Jr. led Queens with 12 points including a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line and Jordan Curtis added six points and four rebounds in the effort. Chris Brizan posted a team-high five rebounds while Evan Goldberg added four points and three rebounds and Shomari Redd contributed four boards as well. The Knights shot just 12-of-53 (23%) in the game, but Queens went 18-for-23 (78%) from the free throw line in the loss.

Lord led the Warriors with 16 points as Merrimack had six players contribute double-figure point totals in the home victory.

Queens will return to the hardwood on Friday (Jan. 11) when the Knights travel to Rochester to face Roberts Wesleyan College in an East Coast Conference match-up at 8 p.m.